Is a public accusation of adultery against one's wife always grounds for mutual imprecation (Li'an)?

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Mutual imprecation (Li'an) is obligatory upon any husband who accuses his wife of adultery, whether he says "You committed adultery" or "I saw you committing adultery." This ruling applies whether the accuser is blind or sighted. This view is held by Ahmad, Thawri, Shafi'i, Abu Ubayd, Abu Thawr, and 'Ata'. The evidence is the general scope of the verse regarding those who accuse their spouses (Quran 24:6), as this husband is one who slanders his wife, thus falling under the general ruling. Furthermore, Li'an is a means to absolve oneself from the consequences of slander (qadhf), so it should apply to every slanderer of his wife, similar to the requirement for bearing witness (Bayyinah). Adhering to the generality of the wording is preferred over the specificity of the reason for revelation.