Section 307: Punishment for libel

1) A person who commits, or causes to be committed, libel shall be liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding twenty thousand rupees or both the sentences.

Provided that if libel is committed or, caused to be committed, by means of electronic or other means of mass communication, there shall be imposed an additional sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees in addition to such punishment.

2) If a person is convicted of libeling another person or causing such libel, a reasonable compensation to be set having regard to, inter alia, the gravity of the offence, effect caused to the reputation of such person and the commission of libel by means of electronic or other means of mass communication, shall be ordered to be paid by the offender to the libeled person, and litigation costs shall also be ordered to be paid by the offender to the libeled person.

3) If a person is convicted of libeling a deceased under this Chapter, such compensation and litigation costs shall be ordered to be paid by the offender to the near successor to the deceased whose feeling was hurt.