Defamation means a bad remarks used by a person against another person with an intent to harm him or her integrity or social standing in the presence of general public or even before a single person who had kept the aggrieved person in the highest regard. The medium of defaming a person could be two;

Verbal, and

Written

 Verbal inclusive of bad gestures and the Written is including of caricatures! 

Defamation Suit can be filed in Civil Court, but, only for compensation. However, the Defamation Case can be instituted under Criminal Laws for both Punishment and Compensation.

Section 199 read with Section 200 of Cr.P.C for the offences punishable under Sections 499, 500 and 501 of IPC could be invoked in Criminal case based on the mode of attack – Verbal or Written.