Supreme Court Upholds Homebuyers' Right to Peacefully Protest Against Builders

The SC upheld the right of homebuyers to peacefully protest against builders, emphasizing this as part of their consumer rights.

The Court quashed a defamation complaint filed by M/s A Surti Developers against Mumbai homeowners who had put up banners to highlight their grievances.

The builder alleged that the statements were defamatory, but the Court determined that the language used was neither offensive nor excessive, and the protest was conducted peacefully. 

The Court ruled that HC can examine if any exceptions to defamation charges under Section 499 IPC at the stage of Section 482 CrPC petition. 

Hence, the Complaint against homeowners was quashed.