An intentional false communication either published or publicly spoken, that injures another’s reputation or good name, holding up of a person to ridicule, scorn or contempt in a respectable and considerable part of the community.

Whoever by words either spoken or intended to be read or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputations, concerning any person intending to harm or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of such person is said to defame that person. [Section 499 of the Penal Code, 1860]