Court Upholds Medha Patkar's Sentencing for Libeling Delhi LG VK Saxena
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has sustained Medha Patkar's conviction in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in 2000. The case, which originated from a press note issued by Patkar in 2000, has been a subject of legal proceedings for over two decades.
The case was initially tried in a magistrate court, where Patkar was sentenced to five months in prison and ordered to pay a compensation of ₹10 lakh to Saxena. However, the Supreme Court later reduced the compensation amount to ₹1 lakh.
The trial court's verdict was upheld by the Delhi High Court in July 2025, despite Patkar's plea to summon additional witnesses and challenge the court's decision. The High Court also modified the probation condition, allowing Patkar to attend proceedings in person or via video through her legal team, instead of appearing quarterly in court.
Patkar further appealed to the Supreme Court, which, on August 11, 2025, refused to overturn the convictions but waived the ₹1 lakh penalty imposed earlier and eased probation conditions, allowing Patkar to furnish bonds rather than appear periodically in court.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices MM Sundresh and NK Singh, noted issues regarding witness credibility and admissibility of electronic evidence but declined to disturb the conviction, agreeing only to waive the fine.
The case dates back to a press notice issued by Patkar on November 24-25, 2000, titled "True Face of Patriot." In the notice, Patkar made allegations against Saxena, then head of the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), including that he issued a bounced cheque to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and implied he covertly supported a project he publicly opposed.
Saxena, who is now the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, published an advertisement against Patkar's Narmada Bachao Andolan in 2000. The case was transferred from Ahmedabad to Delhi in 2003 on orders of the Supreme Court.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh argued the case for Medha Patkar in the Supreme Court, while Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, along with advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, and Somya, represented VK Saxena.
In summary, Medha Patkar was convicted of criminal defamation by trial and appellate courts based on a 2000 press note alleging misconduct by Vinai Kumar Saxena. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction in 2025 while moderating the penalty and probation terms.
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
