⚖️ LEGAL LEARNING | PEACEFUL CONSUMER PROTEST IS PROTECTED FREE SPEECH ✊🏼🗣️
📌 Case Highlight:
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has quashed criminal defamation proceedings under Section 500 IPC filed by a builder against homebuyers who peacefully protested using a non-abusive banner to express grievances about construction quality.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
⭐ Peaceful Protest = Protected Speech
✍🏼 Displaying grievances in mild and temperate language is not criminal defamation.
⭐ Consumer Rights Are Legitimate
🏠 The Court acknowledged that builder-buyer disputes are natural and consumers have a right to express concerns.
⭐ No 'Foul Language' = No Crime
💬 Banners did not include any abusive, false or defamatory terms. Hence, no offence under Section 499 IPC.
⭐ Ninth Exception to Defamation Applies
🛡️ Expressions made in good faith for personal or public interest are protected even if not entirely ‘true’ (unlike the 1st exception).
⭐ Freedom of Speech Guaranteed
📜 Protected under Articles 19(1)(a), (b) & (c) of the Constitution (Speech, Assembly & Association).
✅ Verdict:
The Supreme Court set aside the lower court decisions and quashed the complaint, ruling in favour of consumer protest as a constitutional right.
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