Respected Colleagues-at-Bar & ors
Being a lawyer myself I am in complete agreeement with you that a litigant facing a legal dispute may not be in the right frame of mind at a given time and pass an intemperate remark. However, there is a marked difference between an 'emotional' and a 'recklessly false and defamatory remark'. The difference between the two can be comprehended even by a layman who is not well conversant with the legal intricacies. The imputation made to me in the thread is, contrary to the opinion of some members here, not a mere emotional remark but it is a patently defamatory remark giving rise to penal liability, something I shall prove in the court if an apology does not come forth. A lawyer like any other citizen has the right to invoke the jurisdiction of the court for punishing a wrongdoer. Lawyers do not forfeit their own legal rights after wearing the black robes.
I have already stated that if she makes an unconditional apology to me on LCI I shall drop the idea of prosecuting her for defamation. I shall have no joy in dragging this lady to the court. If, however, she does not make an apology to me at the earliest possible opportunity I shall immediately set the law in motion and endeavour to get her punished deterrently under the law.
Hope better sense prevails on her at the earliest.