India, March 11 -- With defamation cases on social media on the rise, the state government says it will set up a committee under the state director-general of police to recommend legal steps against such individuals. The state will then decide whether to amend existing laws to prosecute such individuals, or enact a new legislation.

Making the announcement in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said people from all walks of life face the menace of defamation online and a decision will be taken on how to tackle it based on the committee's recommendations.

Responding to a question raised by legislator Rahul Kul, who said he too was a victim of a vicious social media campaign, Fadnavis said, "Social m...