IMAGES
Top court upholds validity of criminal defamation laws
New Delhi, May 13 (IBNS) The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the constitutional validity of criminal defamation laws, which, curiously, were challenged by rival politicians, including Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi and his family's chief baiter, the BJP's Subramanian Swamy.
According to reports, the top court said, "we have to strike a balance between fundamental rights to freedom of speech and the reputation of an individual."
Questioning the constitutional validity of sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which provide for criminal defamation, the petitioners argued that the provisions under these sections are not needed as the Constitution's Article 19(2) imposes reasonable restriction on freedom of speech and expression.
The petitioners said the defamation law has been misused by politicians to gag rivals and the media.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu's Captain Vijaykanth and several journalists who have been sued for defamation followed with petitions challenging the criminal defamation laws.
The Centre had told the court that defamation cases are decided very fast in other countries like Britain, while in India, they take years, even decades.
Top Headlines
-
News
Pakistan regards India as an existential threat, depends on China for military, economic support: US military intelligence report
May 25, 2025
-
News
Indian Monsoon rains hit Kerala eight days before schedule
May 24, 2025
-
News
Pakistan violated Indus Waters Treaty spirit with wars and terror attacks for decades: India at UN
May 24, 2025
-
News
'India has every right to defend itself against terrorism': Germany on Operation Sindoor
May 23, 2025
-
News
North East becoming a key destination for sectors like energy and semiconductors: Modi at Investors Summit
May 23, 2025
-
News
US man charged with murder in fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington
May 22, 2025
-
News
Operation Trashi: Encounter breaks out in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, terrorists trapped
May 22, 2025
-
News
Panic grips passengers as Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight faces hailstorm turbulence, lands safely but with broken nose
May 22, 2025
-
News
India expels another Pak High Commission official, asks him to leave country within 24 hours
May 22, 2025
-
News
India rejects Pakistan's allegations on New Delhi's involvement in Balochistan school bus blast
May 21, 2025
