According to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a court can take cognizance of the offence…

Section 222(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly section 199(1) CrPC) bars a court from taking cognizance of defamation under section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 except upon a complaint made by some person aggrieved by the offence, subject to the specified exceptions (a complaint by another person with leave on behalf of a person unable to complain, and a complaint by the Public Prosecutor for defamation of specified public functionaries). A police report or information from any other person is not enough.