The Delhi High Court has postponed its decision on activist Medha Patkar’s challenge against her conviction in a defamation case initiated by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.
Justice Shalinder Kaur has allowed both sides to submit written arguments by July 18 before issuing the final judgment.
Background
The defamation complaint was lodged over two decades ago when Saxena was leading an NGO in Gujarat. The dispute arose after Patkar issued a press statement in November 2000 accusing Saxena of compromising Gujarat’s resources and people by aligning with foreign interests. The courts found these allegations damaging to Saxena’s reputation.
Court Proceedings & Punishment
In mid-2024, a magistrate court convicted Patkar under Section 500 of the IPC, sentencing her to five months in jail and imposing a Rs 10 lakh fine. The sessions court upheld this conviction but released her on probation after she furnished a Rs 25,000 bond and paid a Rs 1 lakh fine.
Probation here serves as an alternative to incarceration, allowing convicts to remain free under conditions of good behavior.
Appeal & Legal Representation
Patkar, known for her work with the Narmada Bachao Andolan, appealed the conviction. The Delhi High Court granted her interim relief by suspending the sentence and granting bail against a personal bond of Rs 25,000.
Senior lawyer Sanjay Parikh appeared for Patkar, while advocate Gajinder Kumar represented Saxena.
Judicial Observations
The lower courts noted that Patkar’s remarks were deliberately crafted to tarnish Saxena’s image and were defamatory in nature. The sessions court dismissed her appeal, affirming that the conviction was justified and that the appeal lacked merit.
The court’s decision will follow the receipt of written submissions by July 18, marking a crucial development in this two-decade-old legal battle.
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