Subramanian Swamy vs Union of India — Criminal Defamation

Updates

1. News13 May 2016

   SC Verdict on criminal defamation: scary, chilling effect on journalism, say editors

   The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the penal provisions for defamation in the Indian Penal Code, observing that the Right to Life under Article 21 includes...

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   The Supreme Court decided to keep criminal defamation laws.

   Who:

   Subramanian Swamy is the petitioner, the Union of India is the respondent, and the Supreme Court is the judge.

   When:

   Reported on 13 May 2016.

   Where:

   Supreme Court of India.

   Why:

   The court upheld the law to protect individual reputations from being harmed by false statements.

   What it means:

   Editors fear this decision will intimidate journalists and discourage them from writing critical reports.

   The News Minute
2. Judgment13 May 2016

   Supreme Court upholds validity of criminal defamation law

   The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the validity of the criminal defamation law.

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   The Supreme Court decided that criminal defamation remains a valid law in India.

   Who:

   Subramanian Swamy is the petitioner and the Union of India is the respondent.

   When:

   Reported on 13 May 2016.

   Where:

   Supreme Court of India.

   Why:

   The court ruled that the right to reputation is protected and outweighs the right to free speech.

   What it means:

   People can still be prosecuted and potentially jailed for making statements that harm another person's reputation.

   The Hindu