The case revolved around allegations of defamatory emails and chats that the ex-wife had purportedly sent, targeting her ex-husband
NEW DELHI: The Saket Court in Delhi has ruled in favor of a man in a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, ordering her to pay ₹15 lakh in damages. The case stemmed from allegations that the woman had sent defamatory emails and messages about her ex-husband.
Married since 2001, the couple’s relationship deteriorated over the years, with the wife leaving their marital home in 2009 along with their young daughter. The husband accused his ex-wife of initiating false and malicious legal actions against him and his family, while also making defamatory remarks.
He further claimed that she had obstructed his access to their daughter and used abusive language about him and his mother in communications with her friends. Despite their divorce in 2021, granted on grounds of cruelty under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the defamation continued, including emails sent to his employer and ailing maternal uncle.
The husband also claimed that the ongoing harassment had a severe impact on his health, leading to a major surgery in March 2022 that cost him ₹6 lakh. The ex-wife denied these accusations, arguing that the defamation case was a malicious attempt to harass her. However, the court found her defense to be inconsistent and contradictory.
Judge Sunil Beniwal declared the ex-wife guilty of defamation, ordering her to pay ₹15 lakh in damages, along with 9% interest from the date the suit was filed. “The records clearly show that the defendant engaged in defamatory acts through libel,” the court stated.
The judgment further noted, “The emails submitted by the plaintiff were properly supported by an electronic evidence affidavit and remained uncontested. The defendant did not dispute the authenticity of these emails.
