The scrutiny process for the petition against the Defamation Law in Punjab has been completed. The petitioner’s lawyer submitted a copy of the notification regarding the law to the Registrar’s Office.

The Registrar’s Office removed the objection against the petition challenging the Defamation Law, declaring the petition admissible.

Sources at the Registrar’s Office say the petition will be scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

The Punjab government has officially enacted the Defamation Bill 2024, with the gazette notification being issued today. This new law will come into effect immediately.

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The bill allows for pre-trial compensation of up to 30 million rupees to be paid in defamation cases.

The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 was signed into law by the Acting Governor of Punjab, Malik Ahmad Khan, on June 8th.

The bill had been passed by the Punjab Assembly on May 20th, despite opposition from journalists and media organizations. The Governor of Punjab, Sardar Salim Haider, had initially expressed concerns about the bill and sent it back to the assembly for further review on May 24th.

The new law has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it could be used to stifle free speech and journalism.