Delhi Court Convicts Medha Patkar in Defamation Case

A Delhi court convicted Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar in a defamation case filed by V K Saxena, the lieutenant governor of Delhi. Patkar was found guilty of criminal defamation, which may result in a jail term or fine. The legal battle between Patkar and Saxena dates back to 2000.

A Delhi court on Friday convicted Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar in a defamation case lodged against her by V K Saxena, the incumbent lieutenant governor of the national capital.

Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma found Patkar guilty of criminal defamation.

Under the relevant law, the activist may get a jail term of two years or fine or both as the punishment. Patkar and Saxena have been locked in a legal battle since 2000 after she filed a suit against him for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). Saxena was then the chief of Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties. Saxena had also filed two cases against her for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement.