A Delhi court has dismissed activist Medha Patkar’s appeal against her conviction in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. The case dates back 23 years to when Saxena headed an NGO in Gujarat.
Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh upheld the earlier verdict, stating, “The challenge to conviction has been dismissed, and the conviction is sustained. Medha Patkar will appear on April 8 for the purpose of sentence.” A detailed order from the court is awaited.
The defamation case was originally filed by Saxena in 2000, when he was the president of the National Council of Civil Liberties. The complaint stemmed from a press release issued by Patkar on 24 November 2000, in which she allegedly made defamatory remarks against him.
On 24 May last year, a magisterial court ruled that Patkar’s statements—calling Saxena a “coward” and accusing him of involvement in hawala transactions—were not only defamatory but also appeared to be deliberately crafted to tarnish his reputation.
The court observed that Patkar’s accusations that Saxena was “mortgaging” the people of Gujarat and their resources to foreign interests directly attacked his integrity and public service.
Following the conviction, arguments on sentencing were completed by 30 May, after which the court reserved its judgment on 7 June. On 1 July 2024, the court sentenced Patkar to five months of simple imprisonment.
Patkar subsequently challenged the ruling in a sessions court, arguing that her remarks were based on public interest concerns. However, with the latest verdict upholding her conviction, she is now required to appear before the court on 8 April for sentencing.
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