The Supreme Court has held that Members of an organization can validly file complaint under Section 499 IPC for Defamation.
The Division Bench of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Aniruddha Bose upheld Kerala High Court's order wherein it was observed that complaint filed by the State Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) against an article published in a newspaper is maintainable.
The Court refused to exercise power under Article 136 of Consitution.
In brief, Malayalam news publisher Mathrubhoomi approached the High Court with prayers to quash defamation proceedings. The Court refused to do so and observed that being a definite and identifiable body, any individual member of RSS has the locus standi to maintain a complaint for defamation against the organisation.
Read Order Here:
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