Overview
Reputation is legally protected. Publishing false imputations about a person — in speech, print, or a social-media post — is criminal defamation under BNS Section 356, punishable with up to two years' imprisonment, fine, or community service. A criminal defamation complaint, often paired with a civil damages suit and takedown demands, is the strongest response to reputational attacks — and if you have been wrongly accused of defamation, truth and fair comment are complete defences we build.
Key Provisions — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
- BNS Section 356 defines defamation and its exceptions (truth for public good, fair comment, privileged statements).
- Punishment: up to 2 years' imprisonment, fine, community service — via a Magistrate complaint by the aggrieved person.
- Social-media posts, forwarded messages, and online reviews can constitute publication.
- Civil defamation damages and injunction/takedown relief run parallel to the criminal route.
What You Can Get
How We Handle It
Evidence Preservation
Archived posts, witnesses, and publication proof — captured before deletion.
Legal Notice
A demand for takedown, apology, and damages — many matters end here.
Criminal Complaint
A Magistrate complaint under Section 356 where the notice is ignored.
Civil Suit (optional)
Damages and injunction where losses are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bad review defamation?
An honest opinion generally is not; false statements of fact presented as truth can be. We assess before you act — suing genuine customers backfires.
Someone filed defamation against me — what now?
Truth, fair comment, and privilege are complete defences; we also test whether the complaint even meets Section 356's ingredients.
Legal Connect connects you with independent criminal advocates; we are not a law firm and this page is general information, not legal advice. In an urgent arrest situation, call us directly on +91 22 6555 3444.