Defamation Content
Removal in Patna.
Criminal defamation under BNS 2023 s.356 (formerly IPC 499/500) is a personal liability of whoever published the false imputation. In Patna, a notice issued through RepuLex's partner law firm puts the publisher on record, and the person defamed keeps the right to a criminal complaint against the publisher.
Section 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (formerly IPC Section 499) defines criminal defamation as making or publishing any imputation concerning a person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe it will harm, that person's reputation. Section 356(2) (formerly IPC 500) provides for simple imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, both, or community service. In Patna, these provisions apply to online content exactly as they do to print — there is no digital immunity.
Alongside BNS s.356, the IT Act 2000 adds routes for particular content: Section 66E where an image of a person's private area was published without consent, and Section 67 where the content is obscene. RepuLex identifies the strongest applicable legal route for each Patna case.
False statements of fact presented as true — not opinion.
Content that has damaged or is likely to damage reputation.
Published to at least one person other than the subject.
No defence of truth, public interest, or fair comment available.
Identifiable subject — the Patna individual or business is nameable.
Through the partner law firm, notices go to the platform and to the content originator simultaneously. The defamation notice tells the individual who published the content that the person defamed can file a criminal complaint, and BNS s.356(2) carries up to two years' simple imprisonment. This dual pressure typically achieves removal faster than platform-only approaches. Where the originator is in Patna or Bihar, direct service of legal notice is possible.
Defamation questions from Patna clients.
How do I initiate criminal defamation proceedings in Patna?+
Criminal defamation under BNS 2023 s.356 (formerly IPC 499/500) is initiated by a complaint by the person defamed before a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Patna; an injunction against the content itself is sought in a civil suit in the competent civil court in Patna. RepuLex compiles the evidence bundle while the partner law firm's advocates draft the complaint and the legal notice simultaneously — the legal notice to the content originator often achieves removal before court proceedings are required.
Which court handles online defamation cases in Patna?+
Online defamation cases in Patna run on two tracks: a criminal complaint under BNS s.356 before a Judicial Magistrate of the first class, and civil proceedings for an injunction in the competent civil court in Patna. Patna High Court hears writ petitions such as Right to Be Forgotten petitions, and appeals. The partner law firm's advocates file at whichever level the urgency and the nature of the content require.
Can false online reviews be treated as criminal defamation in Bihar?+
Yes. A false online review that contains specific false statements of fact — not mere opinion — can amount to criminal defamation under BNS 2023 s.356 (formerly IPC 499/500). The fact that it is a "review" rather than an article does not provide immunity. RepuLex assesses each review for actionability, and where the threshold is clearly met the partner law firm issues a legal notice, regardless of which Bihar platform the review appears on.
How quickly can a court grant an injunction against defamatory content in Patna?+
The application is moved in the competent civil court in Patna. Where there is clear evidence of ongoing harm and urgency is shown, a court can grant interim relief at the first hearing. The partner law firm's advocates move urgent injunction applications where the defamatory content is actively causing financial or professional damage.
Can a Patna-based individual sue for defamation against an overseas originator?+
Yes, with limitations. Where the overseas originator has Indian operations, assets, or an accessible online presence targeting Indian audiences, an Indian court can take jurisdiction. RepuLex focuses on platform-level removal in overseas cases — notices to the hosting platform under the IT Rules 2021 and, where needed, a court order — while the partner law firm pursues the originator through the Indian legal channels available. The platform removal is typically faster than the individual proceedings.
The false content about you has legal consequences — for them.
BNS s.356 · Patna High Court jurisdiction · Fixed fee · Confidential
Defamation Content Removal in Patna: the local legal context
Patna falls within the Patna High Court, whose territorial jurisdiction covers Bihar. Patna's professional and business community — including doctors, engineers, educators, and government contractors — increasingly faces online defamation through Bihar-focused Hindi portals and social media networks. The growing digital penetration in Bihar has increased the volume of reputation attacks targeting professionals across the state.
Medical and engineering professional defamation on Bihar Hindi portals
Educational institution attacks during competitive exam season
Government and infrastructure contractor false complaint campaigns
Patna content removal cases frequently involve Hindi news portals, regional YouTube channels with Bihari-Hindi reach, and Facebook groups serving the broader Bihar diaspora. Politically-motivated content during election cycles is a recurring source.
Patna High Court has no original civil side, so a civil suit starts in the competent civil court in Patna.
Highest-risk Patna industries: Politicians and policy-adjacent professionals (Hindi news-portal coordinated attacks during election cycles), educational coaching institutes serving UPSC and BPSC aspirants (competitor review attacks), and healthcare professionals.
In Patna, defamation content removal rests on the Information Technology Act 2000 (Section 79 read with IT Rules 2021, which set platform deadlines of three hours on a court order, two hours on intimate images or impersonation of a person, and seven days on most other complaints, defamation included), criminal defamation under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 s.356 (formerly IPC 499/500), and civil injunctions from the competent civil court in Patna. Across 25+ cities RepuLex maintains a 97% case success rate — permanent removal, not suppression.