Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Activist Medha Patkar in Defamation Case
The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of social activist Medha Patkar in a defamation case against Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena. While the court confirmed her conviction, it also annulled the one lakh rupee fine imposed on her. The ruling clarified that Patkar would be required to report to the lower court every three years as part of her probation. The case traces back to a press note issued by Patkar in 2000, where she accused Saxena of involvement in illegal financial activities. This article delves into the details of the court's decision and the background of the case.
| Aug 11, 2025, 13:20 IST
Supreme Court Ruling on Defamation Case
The Supreme Court confirmed the conviction of social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena on Monday. However, the apex court annulled the fine of one lakh rupees imposed on Patkar. The court stated that the penalty was revoked after considering the arguments presented by the petitioner's lawyer, and clarified that the supervisory order would not be effective. A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh mentioned that it would not interfere with the Delhi High Court's decision, which had granted Patkar release on good conduct probation, requiring her to appear before the lower court once every three years. Probation serves as a non-custodial approach for offenders, allowing for conditional suspension of punishment. Instead of imprisonment, the convicted individual is released under a bond ensuring good behavior.
High Court Maintains Conviction
High Court Maintains Conviction
The High Court upheld the conviction and sentence given to the 70-year-old Patkar on July 29, stating that the order was made after proper consideration of the evidence and applicable law. Although the lower court had set a specific probation period, the High Court modified it. It allowed Patkar to appear before the lower court every three months, either in person, via video conferencing, or through legal representation, thereby reducing her obligation.
Background of the Case
Background of the Case
The case originated from a press note issued by Patkar on November 25, 2000, titled 'The True Face of a Patriot.' In this note, she accused Saxena of being involved in hawala transactions and claimed that he had issued a cheque of 40,000 rupees to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), which later bounced due to a non-existent account. She also labeled Patkar as cowardly and treasonous.