Defamation

Janvi Bhatia

In 2023, Janvi Bhatia, then a Duke University student, falsely accused another student of sexual assault.
- She claimed he grabbed her breast and aggressively grabbed her outside a bathroom at a nightclub.
- The accusations were completely false. Video surveillance showed the student she accused did not do these things, nor did anyone else.
She went on to sue the student she had wronged for defamation because he told people he had been falsely accused.
- The Court dismissed her claims after finding they had no merit.
A North Carolina jury reviewed:
- Surveillance footage
- Text messages, including ones Janvi had deleted
- Testimony from Janvi and other witnesses
The jury found Janvi Bhatia:
- Liable for libel per se – a form of written defamation so serious that harm is presumed under the law
- Responsible for monetary damages in the amount determined by the jury
The consequences of her accusation:
- The accused student was humiliated, socially ostracized, and delayed his medical career
- Janvi never retracted, never apologized, and never accepted responsibility

False Accusations Harm Real Victims

False accusations harm the person who is falsely accused.
They can also harm genuine victims of sexual assault.
False allegations can undermine public trust in truthful reports.
They can contribute to skepticism toward people who come forward with legitimate allegations.
Sexual assault is a serious issue. So is knowingly accusing someone of conduct that did not occur.
Supporting genuine victims and condemning knowingly false accusations are not conflicting positions. Both matter.