Medha Patkar Challenges Defamation Conviction In Delhi HC

Social activist Medha Patkar on Monday filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court, contesting her conviction in a defamation case brought against her by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena.

The case stems from a 2001 accusation in which Saxena claimed Patkar made defamatory statements about him.

Background Of The Case

The controversy began when Patkar, the leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, published a press note in 2000. In it, she allegedly made statements accusing Saxena, then the President of the National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCL), of supporting the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat and financially contributing to it—claims Saxena denied.

At the time, Saxena was involved in the project, which Patkar vehemently opposed. Saxena filed a defamation suit against her, accusing Patkar of tarnishing his reputation with false claims.

Trial Court’s Ruling

In July 2024, the Magistrate Court in Saket, Delhi, found Patkar guilty under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, sentencing her to 5 months of simple imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh and directed her to pay the same amount in compensation to Saxena.

Patkar appealed the decision, but in March 2025, the Saket District Court upheld the original conviction, reinforcing that the statements made in the press note were false and defamatory.

Appeal In Court

Patkar’s legal team has now approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the conviction. Her counsel argued that the sessions judge had exceeded his authority by directing Patkar to appear in person for sentencing after the judgment was delivered. They requested additional time to address this issue and asked for Patkar to be allowed to appear via video conference, rather than in person.

The bench, led by Justice Shalinder Kaur, granted Patkar’s counsel the liberty to file an application for this request and scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 19, 2025.

Court’s Findings & Ruling

The court in the original trial emphasized that the evidence presented clearly showed that Patkar’s press note was defamatory. It confirmed that the statements in the press note were not only false but also deliberately aimed at harming Saxena’s reputation.

The court further clarified that the translation of the press note into Gujarati by a news portal did not change the defamatory nature of the content.

With the High Court hearing scheduled for May 2025, Patkar’s legal battle over the defamation case continues.

As the case progresses, the outcome could have significant implications for both the activist and the broader legal landscape concerning defamation and freedom of expression in India.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International