G. NARASIMHAN & ORS. ETC. vs T. V. CHOKKAPPA(will connected appeals)

The Supreme Court held that under Section 198 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a Magistrate cannot take cognizance of defamation offenses under Sections 499 to 502 IPC unless the complaint is made by an aggrieved person. The Court clarified that the respondent, as a member of the identifiable Dravida Kazhagam, was not an aggrieved person in his capacity as Chairman of the Reception Committee, and thus the complaint was invalid. Consequently, the proceedings initiated by the Magistrate were quashed, establishing that only identifiable groups can lodge defamation complaints.