One cannot be heedless that right to freedom of speech and expression is a highly valued and cherished right but the Constitution conceives of reasonable restriction. Right to free speech cannot mean that a citizen can defame the other. Protection of reputation is a fundamental right. It is also a human right. Cumulatively it serves the social interest. Next to his life, what man cares most is his reputation. As per Black’s Law Dictionary, Defamation means: The offence of injuring a person’s character, fame, or reputation by false and malicious statements. Defamation in law is attacking another’s reputation by a false publication tending to bring the person into disrepute by communicating the same to a third party. So this paper explains in detail what actually amounts to defamation, definition by various eminent jurists, its essentials and punishment and even exceptions.

Keywords: Defamation, Libel, Slander, Civil and Criminal, Exceptions

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