Report No. 33
31. Indian cases as to legal duty.-
As to examples of legal duty, the 1-2-3-4-5-6 undermentioned decisions may be seen.
Reports made in pursuance of legal duty, although defamatory, are prima facie justifiable, and the duty of making them reverses the malice which the Law implies, and renders proof of actual malice, i.e., of some "wrong and improper motive", necessary to the maintenance of an action7.
1. Narasimmah v. Balwant, 1903 ILR 27 Bom 585 (588) (Chandavarker J.). (Duty of police officer).
2. Govindan Nair v. Achutha Menon, 1915 ILR 39 Mad 433 (Official duty).
3. Govind Das v. Bishambhbar Das, (1917) 44 IA 192: ILR 39 All 561 (PC). (Duty as Chairman of a Community Panchayat).
4. Megha Deva v. Karchand, AIR 1955 Saurashtra 110.
5. Subedar v. Jagat, 1924 ILR 46 All 772.
6. Prem Narain v. Jagdamba Sahai, 1925 ILR 47 All 859 (Public duty of member of municipal board).
7. Hart v. Gunpach, 1872 LR 4 PC 439, referred to by Tyabji J. in Goviandan Nair v. Achutha Menon, 1915 ILR 39 Mad 433 (445).
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