In a recent ruling, a Delhi court has held a woman liable for defamation against her ex-husband and ordered her to pay ₹15 lakh in damages. Judge Sunil Beniwal of the Saket District Court found that her actions had caused injury to the man and hampered his professional growth.
The Case
The case revolved around a series of allegations and litigations that began after the couple's separation. The two had been married in 2001, but the wife left the matrimonial home in 2009, taking their minor daughter with her. The husband alleged that since then, the wife had engaged in filing frivolous and false litigations, making defamatory allegations against him and his family in various courts and authorities.
Court's Findings
The court found substantial evidence that the wife's actions amounted to defamation through libel. Judge Beniwal noted:
"From the record of the case, it is evident that the defendant has indulged in acts amounting to defamation by way of libel. The copy of email/chats filed by the plaintiff have been duly proved, supported by way of an electronic evidence affidavit, and remain unrebutted. The defendant has not challenged and or taken any steps to challenge the authenticity of the said emails."
The husband had presented evidence including emails and chats where the wife used abusive and defamatory language against him and his mother. These emails were sent to the plaintiff’s aged and ill maternal uncle, who was also his employer. The court found that these acts continued even after their marriage was dissolved in 2021 by a family court on grounds of cruelty under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Health and Professional Impact
The husband argued that due to the constant harassment, he had to undergo major surgery in March 2022, costing him ₹6 lakh. He also claimed that the defamatory acts significantly impacted his professional life and growth.
Defense and Counterclaims
The wife countered by arguing that the suit was false, frivolous, malicious, and an afterthought intended to harass her. She also claimed that the suit was barred by limitation since it was based on chats from 2010 and emails from 2020. However, the court found her defense contradictory and unconvincing. The court noted:
"It is observed that at Question no. 5 of the cross examination the defendant has stated that she only has only used one email ID till date whereas in the very next question the defendant has admitted that she had mentioned another email ID in her income affidavit in the month of November 2017 filed in the DV case as filed between the present parties which is duly mentioned above."
The Verdict
The court ruled in favor of the husband, holding that the suit was within the period of limitation. Consequently, it ordered the wife to pay ₹15 lakh in damages along with an interest of 9 percent from the date of the suit's institution until the date of payment.
This verdict highlights the serious implications of defamatory actions, especially when they impact personal and professional lives. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of using digital communications to harm others.
TAGS: Delhi Court Defamation Ex-husband Damages Saket District Court Libel False litigations Hindu Marriage Act Electronic evidence
