Big Relief for Activist Medha Patkar, Delhi Court Suspends 5-Month Jail Sentence

Delhi’s Saket Court has suspended the five-month prison sentence imposed on prominent activist Medha Patkar, following a defamation conviction in a case dating back 23 years.

Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh made the decision to suspend the sentence and also granted Medha Patkar bail, setting the bail bond at Rs 25,000. This move allows Patkar to appeal the judgment delivered on May 24 by Judicial Magistrate Raghav Sharma.

The case originates from a 2000 advertisement published by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena, targeting Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan, which opposed the construction of dams on the Narmada River.

Patkar subsequently issued a press notice critical of Saxena, leading to a defamation suit filed against her in Ahmedabad in 2001. The Supreme Court later transferred the case to Delhi.

While sentencing the activist, the court highlighted the severity of the charges, noting that her criticisms of Saxena’s patriotism and character were particularly damaging in the public eye. The court asserted that such allegations could significantly harm an individual’s public reputation and social standing.

Patkar’s defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove that she actually sent the press notice. They contended that the email cited as evidence could have been easily fabricated. Additionally, the email in question was not presented in court, which could impact the case’s outcome.

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