Social activist Medha Patkar has been spared jail time in a defamation case filed against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

A Delhi Sessions Court on Tuesday released her on probation for one year, taking into account her long-standing contributions to society.

Court Recognises Her Social Work

While upholding Patkar’s conviction for defamation, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh at Saket Courts ruled that the offence was not serious enough to send her to prison. The judge noted that Patkar is a respected activist who has received several awards for her work.

“The court decides to release her for good conduct… She is being released on a probation of one year,” Judge Singh said.

Fines, Compensation

The Court also reduced the earlier fine of ₹10 lakh imposed by the magistrate court. Instead, Patkar has now been directed to pay compensation to VK Saxena. The exact amount is yet to be finalised.

Earlier, a magistrate court had sentenced her to five months in jail along with the ₹10 lakh fine for defaming Saxena.

Conviction Upheld

While Patkar’s sentence was relaxed, the Sessions Court dismissed her appeal challenging the conviction. In his earlier order dated April 2, ASJ Singh said it was proven beyond doubt that Patkar was involved in publishing a press note that defamed Saxena.

“Her involvement is as clear as an elephant behind an office table,” the court remarked, highlighting the obviousness of her role despite her denials.

The judge added that Patkar had used the Internet as a “smoke screen” to circulate the defamatory content, but the evidence on record clearly pointed to her involvement.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to the year 2000, when VK Saxena – then president of an organisation called National Council of Civil Liberties – published an advertisement titled “True face of Ms. Medha Patkar and her Narmada Bachao Andolan”. The ad criticised Patkar’s movement, which opposed the construction of large dams over the Narmada river.

In response, Patkar issued a press note titled “True Facts of a Patriot – Response to an Advertisement”, in which she alleged that Saxena had once supported the Narmada movement, visited Malegaon, and even donated ₹40,000 through a cheque from the Lalbhai Group. She further stated that the cheque had bounced and questioned the relationship between Saxena and the business group.

“The cheque, please note, came from Lalbhai Group. What is the connection between Lalbhai Group and VK Saxena? Who among them is more ‘Patriot’?” the press note asked.

Saxena filed a defamation suit in Ahmedabad in 2001. The case was later transferred to Delhi in 2003 by the Supreme Court. In July 2024, the magistrate court found Patkar guilty and handed her a jail sentence and monetary penalty.

She appealed the decision before the Sessions Court.

Claims & Counterclaims

During the trial, Saxena denied ever visiting Malegaon or supporting the Narmada Bachao Andolan. He also denied issuing any cheque to Lok Samiti, the group allegedly linked to the movement. Witnesses also testified that they received the controversial press note via email from Patkar.

On her part, Patkar denied issuing or circulating the press note. She also claimed no involvement with the Narmada.org website, which had published the note, and said she had no knowledge of the press release in question.

However, the Sessions Court rejected her defence, upheld her conviction under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (defamation), but chose to go lenient with the punishment due to her record of social service.