IPC Section 500 — Punishment for defamation

defamation

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both”

Summary

If a person defames someone else, they can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to two years, or with a fine, or with both.

Official Text

Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Related Provisions

defamation

Referred to by

Related Judgments

  • RASIKLAL vs KLSORE — Supreme Court of India (2009)
  • KISHORE BALKRISHNA NAND vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2023)
  • SEWAKRAM SOBHANI vs R.K. KARANJIA, CHIEF EDITOR, WEEKLY BLITZ & ORS — Supreme Court of India (1981)
  • SUKRA MAHTO vs BASDEO KUMAR MAHTO & ANR — Supreme Court of India (1971)
  • ANIL KHANDELWAL ETC. vs PHOENIX INDIA AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (2025)

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