23/12/2024, 19:03 The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or any other law for the time being in force: (a) the Tribunal shall follow the summary procedure for purposes of investigation of claims and objections in respect of the attachment or sale of any asset or property of the judgment-debtor for the purpose of satisfaction of the decree, and shall conclude such Investigation within thirty (30) days of filing of such claims or objections; and (b) if the claim or objection are found by the Tribunal to be mala fide or filed merely to delay the sale of the property or asset, it may impose a penalty up to twenty percent (20%) of the sale price of the property upon such judgment-debtor. 17. Onus to prove.– Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Claimant shall not be bound to establish his reputation, but it shall be sufficient if he proves any damage, over and above the General Damages to his reputation against the Defendant. 18. Ex-parte proceeding.– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or any other law time being in force, if the Defendant does not appear, or intentionally avoids to appear before the Tribunal, the Tribunal shall, after having been satisfied that the Defendant has willfully avoided the service of the notice or opted not to appear, may pass such ex-parte order or judgment as it may deem appropriate. (2) The ex-parte order or judgment passed under sub-section (1) shall not be appealable, but may be set aside by the Tribunal on application by the Defendant, along with leave to defend, within thirty (30) days of the passing of such ex-parte order or within thirty (30) days of coming into knowledge of such order, as the case may be. (3) For an application for setting aside an ex-parte order or judgment, the Defendant shall be liable to furnish sufficient security, equivalent to the amount of the decree, to the satisfaction of the Tribunal, and shall have to set up sufficient cause that he did not have knowledge of passing of such order or judgment, or was prevented from appearing before the Tribunal: Provided that no notice or stay on an application under sub-section (2) shall be issued, unless the sufficient security, as ordered in terms of sub-section (3), is furnished by the Defendant. 19. Admissions.– The Tribunal may, in the interest of expeditious disposal and to reduce the contested issues and costs of litigation, grant an opportunity to the Parties to recourse to Order XII of the Code. 20. Penalties for false and frivolous claims.– In case of false, frivolous and vexatious claims, the Tribunal shall order Punitive Damages against the Claimant, as provided under this Act. 21. Consequences of proof of defamation.– (1) Where defamation is proved to have occurred, the Tribunal may pass an order directing the Defendant to tender an unconditional apology, if acceptable to the Claimant, and direct the same to be published in the same manner and with the same prominence as the defamatory statement was made, and pay the damages in terms of this Act. (2) Where defamation is proved to have occurred, the Tribunal may, in addition to the damages that are decreed and/or direction for tendering an apology, also issue a direction to the relevant regulatory authority to suspend or block the social media account of the Defendant, or any other medium or platform covered by this Act through which the defamatory content was disseminated. punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2884.html 11/13