Section 378

The publication of defamatory matter is absolutely privileged, and no person is criminally liable in respect thereof, in the following cases-

(1) if the matter is published by the President, Minister or a Governor or by order of the President, Minister or a Governor in any official document, Gazette or proceedings; or

(2) if the publication is made in a petition to the President, Minister, or a Governor; or

(3) if the publication takes place in any proceeding held before or under the authority of any court, or in any inquiry held under the authority of any Act, Law, Statute, or Order, or under the authority of the President, Minister, or a Governor; or

(4) if the publication takes place in an official report made by a person appointed to hold an inquiry under the authority of any Act, Law, Statute, or Order in Council, or of The President, Minister, or a Governor; or

(5) if the matter is published concerning a person subject to military discipline for the time being, and relates to his conduct as a person subject to such discipline, and is published by some person having authority over him in respect of such conduct, and to some person having authority over him in respect of such conduct.