🔷 Court Clarifies: Statements Made in Court or Police Complaints Are Not Defamation
📌 Case Overview
In an important judgment, the Karkardooma Courts, Delhi, dismissed a civil defamation suit seeking ₹20 lakh in damages and a permanent injunction. The court held that statements made in judicial proceedings or in police complaints do not automatically amount to defamation when protected by legal privilege. (20 lakh defamation claim rejected)
📌 What Was the Dispute?
The plaintiff (wife) filed a civil suit alleging that her husband had defamed her by making allegations of adultery and involvement in obscene videos:
In a divorce petition filed before a competent court
In a police complaint submitted to senior police authorities
She claimed these allegations harmed her reputation and goodwill.
📌 Court’s Findings
The court observed that:
Statements made in a divorce petition are part of judicial proceedings and are protected by Absolute Privilege.
Complaints made to the police for investigation or personal protection fall under Qualified Privilege, provided they are not motivated by malice.
The plaintiff failed to prove that the defendant acted with malicious intent.
Evidence on record indicated that the allegations were not baseless.
📌 Final Verdict
The court:
Dismissed the defamation suit in entirety
Rejected the claim for ₹20 lakh in damages
Declined to grant permanent injunction
Directed both parties to bear their own costs
📌 Significance of the Judgment
This judgment reinforces the principle that approaching courts or police authorities with allegations, when done in good faith, cannot be treated as defamation. It provides clarity and protection to individuals seeking legal remedies in matrimonial and related disputes. (20 lakh defamation claim rejected)
Read Full Judgement
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A well thought judgement.
The false case instigator should be dealt in this way.
Appreciate the service of this foundation.