When can a defendant take the plea of innocence?

–  According to the defamation act, 1952, a defendant can take the plea of innocence only, if (i) the words published by him were not defamatory on the fact of it, (ii) he statements might be understood to be defamatory of the plaintiff, (iii) he published a suitable correction and a suitable apology to the plaintiff and (iv) where the copies of a document containing the defamatory matter have been distributed, he took such steps as were reasonably practicable for notifying persons, to whom copies have been distributed that the words are alleged to be defamatory of the plaintiff.