In a significant legal decision, a Delhi court on Friday found activist Medha Patkar guilty in a defamation case brought by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, dating back to 2001.
The case stems from Saxena’s tenure as President of the National Council of Civil Liberties in 2000, when he published an advertisement criticizing Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan, a movement opposing dam constructions over the Narmada River. Patkar responded with a press note allegedly defaming Saxena, prompting him to file a defamation suit against her. Initially filed in Ahmedabad, the case was moved to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2003.
Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma of Saket Court delivered the verdict, highlighting Patkar’s specific allegations against Saxena. She had accused him of being a “coward and not a patriot” and implied he was involved in unethical financial dealings. Patkar also suggested Saxena was “mortgaging the people of Gujarat and their resources before Bill Gates and Wolfensohn,” portraying him as a traitor to public trust.
The court underscored that Patkar’s statements were intended to provoke public outrage and damage Saxena’s reputation. Her remarks about financial misconduct and personal cowardice were seen as a direct attack on Saxena’s character and national loyalty. The judge noted that such accusations, especially in the public domain, carry severe implications for an individual’s reputation.
The court concluded that Patkar’s actions were deliberate, with the intent to defame Saxena, leading to her conviction under Section 500 of the IPC. Sentencing will be addressed on May 30.
Advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, Chandra Shekhar, Drishti, and Somya represented Saxena, while Advocate Sridevi Pannikar represented Patkar.
