The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant any relief to social activist Medha Patkar, directing her to approach the trial court for furnishing a probation bond, as ordered in her defamation conviction case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
Justice Shalinder Kaur declined to defer the bond submission or the compensation order, noting the last-minute nature of Patkar’s plea. “Why have you come at the last moment? The matter is already listed for tomorrow,” the court remarked, while advising her legal team to seek recourse before the appropriate appellate forum.
Background
The case traces back to a 2000 press note issued by Patkar as part of her Narmada Bachao Andolan campaign. The press note allegedly contained false and defamatory statements against Saxena, then President of the National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCL), a body that supported the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat.
Saxena filed a defamation suit in 2001, asserting that Patkar falsely accused him of financially supporting her movement and misrepresenting his stance on the project.
In July 2024, the Saket Magistrate Court convicted Patkar under Section 500 of the IPC for criminal defamation, sentencing her to 5 months of simple imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, she was ordered to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation to Saxena.
Patkar appealed the conviction, but her plea was dismissed by the Saket District Court in March 2025, which upheld the findings of the trial court. The court observed that the evidence on record proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the statements in the press note were factually inaccurate and defamatory.
High Court Proceedings
Following the dismissal of her appeal, Patkar was directed to appear in person for sentencing on April 8, 2025, where the trial court ordered her release on probation of good conduct for one year, provided she furnishes the required bond.
Patkar then approached the Delhi High Court, seeking to challenge the conviction and to delay the bond submission. Her counsel argued that the Sessions Court had overstepped by issuing the sentencing order post-verdict and requested time to amend their earlier petition.
They also asked for permission for Patkar to appear via video conferencing, citing logistical concerns. While the High Court allowed the filing of a separate application for video appearance and posted that request for May 19, 2025, it refused to interfere with the immediate direction regarding the probation bond.
Counsel’s Arguments
Senior Advocate Gajinder Kumar, representing LG Saxena, opposed Patkar’s plea, reiterating the seriousness of the defamatory content and its intended impact on Saxena’s public image.
The High Court also noted that since the trial and appeal courts had already ruled on the matter, a fresh petition against the conviction must be filed instead of amending the earlier one.
What Lies Ahead
With the High Court refusing interim relief, the matter is now listed before the trial court on April 23, where Patkar is expected to comply with the conditions of her release on probation. The court proceedings and her pending application for video appearance will continue next month.
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