Whether defamation in my case would be right to take legal action or no

Myself and my colleague were working together for past 3.5 yrs. We were good friends. She is top in post by 2yrs than me and younger to me by 2yrs. I joined the institution first and im more popular due to my work and dedication and like by all. We both r doctors/ professor by profession even students liked me as i see to clear their doubt's and teach them repeatedly.though she was senior her name was below mine in register and also on board. She got promoted before me after that her name changed. We were very close she shared all her family issues with me and i truly always supported her. Then we both got pregnant me first and delivered baby girl and i already have son. She also delivered baby girl though her first baby is girl. So she was more frustrated. She was always jealous of me. Then her behavior changed and started avoiding her because i dint wanted any fight nor i would tolerate wrong behavior. All r more friendly towards me she felt left out. She repeatedly came to me for compromise i dint wanted. This went on. Then i as due for promotion college promised as i was old staff but dint do. So i resigned to shift to other college. We both had a project together and my papers with me as first author was accepted in reputed journals hers was pending. Then after i left i contacted her through email for the certificate for publishing paper she replied badly saying illusion her certificate and do legal action against me. Then conversation continue she accused by husband, my family saying mine is criminal background we are local gundas and she demanded to give rape or murder threat in her name and mentioned tats wat i do. I have all the evidence communication through email. I want to know can i defame her.