In a significant legal development, social activist Medha Patkar has been sentenced to five months of imprisonment in a longstanding defamation case filed by Vinai Kumar Saxena, the current Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi and former president of the National Council of Civil Liberties. Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma delivered the verdict on Monday, finding Patkar guilty of defamation and imposing a hefty ₹10 lakh compensation payment to Saxena for damage to his reputation.
The case, dating back to 2000, revolves around a legal feud between Patkar and Saxena stemming from allegations of defamation related to advertisements published against Patkar and her organization, the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). The court’s decision highlighted Patkar’s issuance of a press release titled “True Face of Patriot” in November 2000, which Saxena claimed contained false imputations intended to harm his reputation during his tenure as head of the Ahmedabad-based NGO.
Despite the conviction, the court suspended Patkar’s sentence under section 389(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure until August 1, allowing her the opportunity to appeal against the order. The judge, while rejecting Patkar’s request for release on probation, cited considerations such as damages, age, and health conditions of the accused in the sentencing decision.
Reacting to the court’s ruling, Patkar asserted, “The truth can never be defeated…We have not tried to defame anyone, we only do our work…We will challenge the court’s judgement.”
The legal battle between Patkar and Saxena has spanned over two decades, underscoring the complexities and enduring nature of their legal dispute. The court’s verdict on Monday marked a pivotal moment in this prolonged legal saga, with implications for both parties and the broader implications for defamation laws in India.
Sources By Agencies