One tweet that had many cracking up was: 'Dear Mamata, normally the cartoonist tries to capture the subject. Not vice versa.'�  MADABHUSHI SRIDHAR on the mirth and anxiety that Mamata has provided. Pic: The arrested professor

Were they killed for their work? Were they involved in other, personal interests, which spilled over into their professional lives? Did their professional and personal enemies conspire to kill them?  GEETA SESHU on the poor quality of investigations which have followed these deaths.

In the recent past, a number of legal restraints on free speech have been initiated against journalists and the media in India, including charges of sedition, defamation, contempt of court, official secrets and hate speech,  says a report from SUKUMAR MURALIDHARAN. An excerpt from the section on defamation.

The law of criminal defamation has several ramifications, affecting the right to privacy and contempt too  and can be misused by the high and mighty to curb criticism, says RAKESH SHUKLA

The increasing use of defamation laws to stifle dissent is a dangerous trend, but lawmakers are beginning to take note,  says a report from the India chapter of the IPI (International Press Institute)

The defamation suit against the environmental group is the latest in a string of SLAPP litigation by corporate against activists  and the effect is chilling, says KAMAYANI BALI MAHABAL.

Rejecting a defamation case on 11 activists filed by the Association of Pesticide Manufacturing Companies, the apex court upheld their freedom of speech and said their report was in public interest.  A press statement from the activists who were charged with defamation.