Is defamation a crime in India?
Asked by: Mr. Nathanial Zboncak I | Last update: December 10, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)
Under Indian law, a plaintiff can choose to sue for defamation as a criminal offence and/or as a civil offence. Civil liability (a part of tort) is determined by the principles of English law, but criminal liability relies upon sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Both can be jointly pursued.
Is defamation a criminal offence in India?
Libel is an untrue defamatory statement that is made in writing. Slander is an untrue defamatory statement that is spoken orally. According to Indian Law, libel and slander, both are considered to be criminal offences. Such statements are to be made in public to constitute defamation.
What are the 5 elements of defamation in India?
- The Information was Made Public. ...
- The Defaming Statement Names the Person. ...
- The Defamatory Statement Had a Negative Impact on the Victim's Reputation. ...
- The Published Remarks are Demonstrably False. ...
- The Defendant In the Case Is At Fault for the Defamation.
Is a defamation case a criminal case?
Written defamation is called "libel," and spoken defamation is considered "slander," and they both fall under "defamation." In the US, defamation is not usually a crime. Instead, it is a "tort" or civil wrong. Under the law, a person who has been defamed can seek damages from the perpetrator.
How to sue someone for defamation in India?
- Draft a legal notice detailing the defamatory statements and their impact on your reputation.
- Send the notice through a registered lawyer.
- If the accused does not retract their statement or apologize, file a complaint before the appropriate court.
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How can I prove defamation in India?
Publication: It must be proved that the defamatory statement was seen, heard, or read by a third party. The statement must be published because if there is no publication, there is no harm to the victim's reputation. Injury: The victim has to prove that the statement caused damage or harm to their reputation.
What is the time limit for defamation case in India?
Under Criminal Law, Defamation is bailable, non-cognizable and compoundable offence. Limitation to file criminal defamation complaint is 3 years from the period of knowledge of offence. The civil remedy is to file a suit for damages and section 499 and 500 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals in criminal defamation.
What is the punishment for defamation?
No Criminal Penalties
Defamation is not a criminal offense in California.
Is it hard to win a defamation case?
Defamation lawsuits are not easy to win because the plaintiff must both prove the difficult elements of his or her case and avoid the many defenses to defamation. This article discusses some of the standard defenses to defamation, including truth and privilege.
What proof do you need for defamation of character?
To prove defamation, you must determine that the statement can easily be described as false, published, harmful, or unprivileged. It's imperative to show that you have been the victim of inevitable negative defamation consequences, such as decreased income, loss of money, or tarnished reputation.
What is an example of defamation in India?
- Subramanian Swamy vs Union Of India, Min. ...
- Asoke Kumar Sarkar And Anr. ...
- Atul Kumar Pandey vs Kumar Avinash on 17 June, 2020. ...
- Shri Kuldeep Singh S/O Late Shri Karam ... ...
- Brig. ( ...
- Miss Kamalini Manmade vs Union Of India (Uoi) on 19 November, 1965. ...
- Purshottam Lal Sayal vs Prem Shanker on 12 April, 1965.
Is it worth suing for defamation?
The answer is, yes, it is worth suing for defamation. When a true case of defamation exists, there are damages that are caused as a result. Those damages are compensable through a civil lawsuit, in California and beyond.
What is a legal notice for defamation in India?
A legal notice for defamation is the first step to initiate civil or criminal proceedings against the person(s) defaming you. As stated earlier, it is a kind of warning to initiate a court case if the demands such as compensation / damages etc. for loss or damage to reputation etc. are not met.
What is the new law of defamation in India?
Whoever prints or engraves any matter, knowing or having good reason to believe that such matter is defamatory of any person, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Can I file defamation case anywhere in India?
For criminal defamation, file in the local magistrate's court.
What is the fees for defamation case in India?
Defamation Claims:
In the case of a defamation suit claiming Rs. 1 crore, the court fees could be around Rs. 12,110, as indicated in a related case where the plaintiff claimed Rs. 1 crore but paid fees on a lower assessed amount of Rs.
How much can someone sue you for defamation?
The amount one can sue for defamation varies widely based on several factors including the severity and extent of damage caused by the defamatory statement. However, damages typically range from thousands to millions of dollars depending on circumstances such as loss earnings and emotional distress.
What is the strongest defense against a defamation claim?
Truth is an absolute defence to defamation. The defendant must prove that the defamatory statements were, in fact, true.
Can you sue for defamation if found not guilty?
Provided no charges are outstanding against you, you may be able to file a defamation of character lawsuit. Such a lawsuit can target a person who makes deliberate communication — oral or written — with an intent to harm your reputation.
Can I sue for defamation without a lawyer?
A defamation case is a serious legal action, which means you'll want an expert defamation lawyer to help present your case. Furthermore, you'll need one who understands the complexities the age of the Internet has introduced to these kinds of cases.
How to file a defamation case in India online?
- Step1: Ensure You Have a Valid Defamation Claim. ...
- Step 2: Gather Evidence for Your Defamation Lawsuit. ...
- Step 3: Choose the Right Court for Your Defamation Claim. ...
- Step 4: Draft Your Defamation Complaint. ...
- Step 5: File Your Defamation Lawsuit. ...
- Step 6: Proceed Through Legal Steps.
How serious is defamation?
Defamation is not a crime in most states, but it is a "tort" (a civil wrong, rather than a criminal wrong). The person who has been defamed (the "plaintiff") can sue the person who did the defaming (the "defendant") for damages.
How to prove defamation in India?
The laws of criminal defamation have been codified under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and to fall within the confines of this Section, a person must have made an imputation about another person with either an intention, knowledge, or reason to believe that such an imputation will harm the reputation of the ...
Can you sue for defamation in India?
Under Indian law, a plaintiff can choose to sue for defamation as a criminal offence and/or as a civil offence. Civil liability (a part of tort) is determined by the principles of English law, but criminal liability relies upon sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Both can be jointly pursued.
How long do defamation cases take to settle?
With all this said, if a case is not heavily contested or complex and the aforementioned complications are not present, a defamation case will, on average take on average approximately one year to resolve. Conversely, heavily contested and more complex cases generally will take several years to reach a conclusion.