The Law Commission has recommended retaining criminal defamation within India’s criminal laws, emphasizing the importance of protecting the the right to reputation as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The commission’s report highlights reputation as an intangible asset that requires safeguarding against defamatory speech and imputations.
The Law Commission has recommended retaining criminal defamation within India’s criminal laws, emphasizing the importance of protecting the the right to reputation as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The commission’s report highlights reputation as an intangible asset that requires safeguarding against defamatory speech and imputations.
In its report on the law on criminal defamation, the panel asserted that it is important to keep in mind that the right to reputation flows from Article 21 of the Constitution, and being a facet of right to life and personal liberty, it needs to be “adequately protected” against defamatory speech and imputations.
“Reputation is something which can’t be seen and can only be earned. It’s an asset which is built in a lifetime and destroyed in seconds. The whole jurisprudence around the law on criminal defamation has the essence of protecting one’s reputation and its facets,” it said.
Source: Economic Times
