The Delhi High Court on Tuesday deferred further hearings on two petitions filed by social activist Medha Patkar in a defamation case initiated by Delhi’s incumbent Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena.
Justice Shalinder Kaur scheduled the next round of arguments for July 14 and 15.
Background Of The Case
The defamation case stems from a complaint filed by VK Saxena in 2001, when he was not yet in public office. The case culminated in Medha Patkar’s conviction by a Magistrate’s court on May 24, 2024, which held her guilty of defamation. She was subsequently sentenced on July 1, 2024, to three months’ imprisonment and directed to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to Saxena.
Patkar was granted bail to appeal the decision and challenged the trial court’s verdict before the Sessions (Appellate) Court. On April 8, 2025, the appellate court modified the sentence, directing her release on probation for one year on the condition of good conduct and a reduced compensation of Rs 1 lakh.
Arrest and Interim Relief
Despite the modified sentence, a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued against Patkar by the Saket court on April 23, 2025, after she failed to appear and comply with the appellate court’s order to furnish a probation bond and deposit the compensation. She was arrested on the morning of April 25 and produced before the court.
Later that day, the Delhi High Court granted her interim relief, directing her release on bail. The court stated:
“As contentious issues have been raised on behalf of the parties… the petitioner be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned ASJ/Link ASJ/CMM/Duty Magistrate.”
Patkar complied, furnishing the bond and paying the compensation amount.
Legal Challenges
Medha Patkar has filed two separate petitions in the Delhi High Court:
Challenging her conviction and sentencing in the defamation case.
Contesting the trial court’s refusal to allow her to call an additional witness in a separate defamation case filed by her against Saxena.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh and Advocate Abhimanyu Shreshth are representing Patkar, while Advocate Gajinder Kumar appeared on behalf of VK Saxena.
A Long-Running Legal Battle
The defamation case has spanned over two decades, beginning in 2001. It has now become a contentious legal matter involving multiple courts, appeals, and bail hearings. Patkar has maintained that the trial court’s ruling was flawed and that procedural lapses, such as denial of the right to call witnesses, have affected her defence.
With the High Court now deferring arguments to mid-July, the legal tug-of-war between Patkar and Saxena is far from over. For now, the court’s interim bail order remains in force, allowing Patkar to remain free while her appeals are under judicial consideration.
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