False. Damaging. Online. Permanently removable.
Indian law is unambiguous: publication of false facts damaging reputation is a criminal offence. RepuLex turns that law into documented, written-confirmed removal.
False accusations, fake allegations, or fabricated content online
Defamatory content legally removed with cease-and-desist enforcement
Any imputation by words, signs, or visible representations harming reputation constitutes defamation under Indian law. Online publication — posts, videos, articles — is fully covered.
Punishment for criminal defamation includes imprisonment up to two years, fine, or both. This creates substantial deterrent effect on content originators.
Platforms hosting defamatory content lose safe harbour once notified. Mandatory removal obligations apply within 36–72 hour windows for significant intermediaries.
Civil defamation proceedings allow recovery of monetary damages for reputational harm. Combined with criminal notices, this creates comprehensive multi-track legal pressure.
Assessment of whether content meets the legal threshold for defamation: false statement of fact, published to third parties, causing measurable reputational damage.
Simultaneous notice to the platform under IT Act Section 79 and — where identifiable — to the originator under IPC 499/500 cease-and-desist with personal criminal liability stated.
Where notices are ignored, formal criminal defamation proceedings under IPC Section 500 create the most severe legal pressure — imprisonment up to two years creates immediate motivation to comply.
Content removed from platform. Written confirmation obtained from platform legal team. Google de-indexed. Full case file delivered for future legal reference.
What qualifies as legally actionable defamation online?+
Under IPC Section 499, defamation is any imputation that harms reputation if the statement is false and published to third parties. The key elements: false statement of fact (not mere opinion), published to one or more others, and causing harm to the reputation of the identified person or organisation. Online content — posts, reviews, articles, comments, videos — is fully and explicitly covered.
Can you remove defamatory content posted by an anonymous user?+
Yes. Anonymous content does not prevent removal. IT Act takedown notices go directly to the platform — the platform is obligated to remove the content regardless of whether the originator is identified. In parallel, legal disclosure requests can compel platforms to identify anonymous originators, enabling direct criminal defamation action against them.
What is the difference between civil and criminal defamation?+
Criminal defamation under IPC Section 500 is handled as a criminal matter with imprisonment up to two years as potential punishment. Civil defamation allows the victim to claim monetary damages for reputational harm. RepuLex strategically uses both — criminal notices for maximum compliance pressure, civil proceedings for compensation where appropriate. Criminal notices alone achieve removal in the majority of cases.
Can a legal notice be sent to the person who posted the content?+
Yes, where the poster is identifiable. Our cease-and-desist notices under IPC 499/500 demand: immediate content removal, written retraction, public apology where content was publicly posted, and undertaking not to repeat. Non-compliance leads to formal criminal defamation proceedings with the originator facing up to two years imprisonment.
What if the defamatory content is on a foreign platform?+
Global platforms with significant Indian user bases — Google, Meta, X, YouTube — are subject to Indian IT Act provisions for their Indian operations. For US-hosted content, we additionally use DMCA takedown routes. For truly offshore platforms with no Indian operations, we pursue Google de-indexing and international platform legal channels in parallel to eliminate search visibility.
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