In a sharp legal move, a Delhi court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against social activist Medha Patkar after she failed to comply with the court’s order following her defamation conviction. The case, brought forth by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, stems from a 2000 defamation dispute related to Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Patkar, who had been convicted in 2024 for defamation and ordered to undergo probation, missed several court hearings and failed to adhere to the April 8 sentencing order. The court expressed its frustration, noting Patkar’s deliberate non-compliance and absence, which led to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh remarked that despite multiple chances, Patkar continued to disregard the court’s directives, prompting the court to take coercive action. In issuing the non-bailable warrant, the judge emphasized that if Patkar failed to attend the next hearing, the probation order could be reconsidered.
The initial defamation suit, filed by Saxena in 2001, stemmed from Patkar’s accusations that Saxena was undermining Gujarat’s resources by associating with figures like Bill Gates. The court found Patkar’s statements malicious and designed to damage Saxena’s reputation, concluding that her comments were intended to provoke public outrage and tarnish his image.
Despite her earlier appeal to have the sentence altered, Patkar had yet to meet the court’s requirements for probation, including a ₹1 lakh payment to Saxena and a probation bond of ₹25,000. Patkar’s defense team, seeking further delays due to ongoing legal petitions, was rejected by the court as frivolous.
The next hearing in this high-profile case is set for May 3, and the outcome may determine whether Patkar faces additional consequences for her defiance.
