Let’s say you run a coaching centre, restaurant, small business, or even a legal consultancy. One morning, you open Google to check your listing—and there it is. A 1-star review. It claims your business is a scam.
The person calls your services fake or abusive. But here’s the catch—you know this customer never existed, or the incident never happened.
This is more common than you’d think. Competitors, trolls, or even angry ex-customers sometimes leave false, exaggerated, or defamatory reviews that can damage your reputation, reduce your clients, or even cost you money. But can you remove these reviews legally?
Yes. Indian law offers clear legal remedies—and this guide will help you act smartly and fast.
What Qualifies as a Defamatory or Fake Review?
A negative review is not automatically illegal. But it may cross the line if:
- The reviewer never used your service or bought your product
- The review contains false statements (e.g., accusing you of fraud or cheating)
- It uses abusive, vulgar, or threatening language
- It’s part of a personal vendetta, blackmail, or competitive sabotage
- It harms your business intentionally without basis
In legal terms, this becomes defamation—a punishable offence under Indian law.
Laws That Protect You
Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deal with defamation. If someone publishes or spreads false and harmful statements about you or your business, they can be jailed for up to 2 years or fined.
Section 66A of the IT Act was earlier used for online defamation but has been struck down. Now, complaints for fake online content go under IPC plus platform-specific guidelines.
Civil defamation suits can also be filed where you seek monetary damages for loss of reputation and business.
If the reviewer used your name, photo, or fake screenshots, other laws like Section 66C (identity theft) and Section 67 (obscene material) of the IT Act may also apply.
If the false review contains stolen photos or edited videos, read: What to Do If Someone Misuses Your Photos or Videos Online
Steps to Get a Defamatory Review Removed Legally
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Take screenshots | Save the full review, URL, date, and profile of the reviewer. Also record any comments or shares. |
| Flag the review on the platform | Google, Justdial, Facebook, and Zomato all have reporting tools to mark a review as fake, offensive, or irrelevant. |
| Reply professionally (optional) | If you want, post a calm reply stating the review is false and invite the reviewer to contact you directly. This builds credibility. |
| Send a legal notice | If the platform doesn’t act, send a legal notice to the reviewer and platform asking for removal under Section 499 IPC. |
| File a complaint | Lodge a complaint at your local police station or at cybercrime.gov.in. Include screenshots, business proof, and your takedown request. |
For serious damage (especially if the review went viral), consider filing a civil defamation suit for compensation and an injunction to stop further spread.
If the review appears as part of a coordinated fake attack (many bad reviews in one day), inform the platform through their grievance redressal mechanism. Under the IT Rules, 2021, intermediaries must act on genuine complaints within 72 hours.
Also read: Online Defamation – What It Is and How to Respond for more context on personal and business reputation protection.
Can You Sue Platforms Like Google or Justdial?
Not directly—platforms are considered “intermediaries” under the IT Act. That means they’re protected as long as they act promptly when notified of unlawful content. If they ignore your complaint, they may lose that protection.
Always report through their support form, include evidence, and document your complaint (email or screenshot).
If they fail to respond, a legal notice followed by a court-ordered takedown (injunction) is the most effective route.
A fake or abusive review can damage years of hard work—but you don’t have to stay silent. You have the legal right to get false reviews removed and take action against defamation. Be calm, collect your proof, follow the complaint steps—and if needed, consult a lawyer.
If you’re a business owner or freelancer, it’s wise to have a review monitoring system—a regular check on platforms like Google, Justdial, Instagram, or Facebook to catch and address issues early.
Also read: Can You Be Arrested for WhatsApp Forwards? Here’s the Law — especially useful if you’re facing fake reviews circulated through messages or groups.
FAQs
1. Can I remove a bad review that’s genuine but harsh?
No. If the review reflects real experience, it’s considered fair opinion—even if it’s negative.
2. What if the reviewer used fake identity or no name?
You can still act. File a complaint and ask the platform to trace the account.
3. Can I sue for compensation?
Yes, through a civil defamation suit if your business suffered actual loss.
4. Do platforms like Google or Zomato respond to legal notices?
Yes, especially if you show that the review violates their policy or is part of harassment.
5. Is replying publicly to a fake review a good idea?
Yes, if done politely. It shows transparency and professionalism to other viewers.
