New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has observed that the time has come to reconsider the criminalization of defamation, opening the door for a possible landmark shift in the country’s legal framework. A two-judge bench comprising Justices M. M. Sundar and Satish Chandra Sharma made the observation while hearing an appeal filed by The Wire in a case brought against it by retired Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Amit Singh.

The matter stems from a 2016 article published by The Wire that portrayed JNU as a hub of “secessionist ideology and terrorism.” Taking objection, Professor Amit Singh initiated criminal defamation proceedings under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code. In 2017, summons was issued to the news portal, which challenged the order. Although the Delhi

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