24-Yrs-Old Defamation Case: Activist Medha Patkar Arrested

Medha Patkar

Delhi Police arrested renowned social activist Medha Patkar on Friday after a local court issued a non-bailable warrant against her in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.

The arrest follows Patkar’s failure to comply with court orders regarding her sentencing.

Arrest Follows Non-Compliance

The arrest was ordered after Patkar, 70, failed to appear in court and did not fulfill the conditions of a sentencing order issued earlier this month. On April 8, the court had directed her to be released on probation for one year, on the condition that she deposit Rs 1 lakh as compensation to Saxena. This decision modified an earlier trial court ruling that sentenced her to 5 months of imprisonment along with a Rs 10 lakh fine.

Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh, who presided over the case, noted Patkar’s repeated disregard for the court’s directions. “The intention of convict Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the Court order; she is avoiding to appear before the Court and also avoiding to accept the terms of the sentence passed against her,” the judge stated.

Case Dates Back To 2001

The defamation case has its origins in statements made by Patkar during a 2001 television interview and a press release. At the time, V.K. Saxena was heading the Ahmedabad-based NGO, the National Council for Civil Liberties. He filed a complaint, alleging that Patkar’s remarks were defamatory in nature.

This legal battle stems from a larger conflict that began in 2000, when Patkar accused Saxena of running defamatory advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) — the social movement she has long been associated with.

Legal Team Responds

Legal representatives for Saxena — advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, and Chandra Shekhar — welcomed the court’s firm stance. They expressed satisfaction with the issuance and execution of the warrant, emphasizing that it reinforces the importance of adhering to judicial decisions.

Patkar, a prominent figure in Indian activism known for leading protests against the displacement of people by large dam projects, will be presented before the court later today. The case continues to draw public interest due to its long history and the high-profile individuals involved.

This latest development marks a significant turn in a legal dispute that has stretched over two decades, highlighting tensions between civil activism and legal accountability.