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Medha Patkar had issued a press release, titled ‘True Face of Patriot,’ wherein she had alleged many derogatory statements against VK Saxena, which raised queries regarding the association between the Lalbhai Group and Saxena
A Delhi Court on Wednesday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against activist Medha Patkar for failing to appear and comply with the sentencing order passed earlier this month in the criminal defamation case filed against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh of the Saket Courts observed that Patkar had deliberately failed to comply with the April 8 sentencing order, which had granted her the benefit of probation subject to furnishing compensation.
“The intention of convict, Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the Court order, avoiding appearance before the Court and also avoiding acceptance of the terms of the sentence,” the Court stated.
Finding no order of suspension of sentence from any higher court, the Court said it had no option left but to enforce Patkar’s production through coercive means.
Accordingly, the Court ordered, “Issue NBWs against convict Medha Patkar, through the office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, for next date.”
The matter has been listed for further proceedings and a report on NBWs on May 3, 2025.
The Court also pulled up Patkar for filing a last-minute adjournment plea citing the pendency of her criminal revision petition before the Delhi High Court.
Dismissing the application, the ASJ said, “The application has no substance. There is no direction in the High Court’s order dated April 22, 2025, stating that Patkar is not required to comply with the sentencing order. The application is frivolous and mischievous and is only calculated to hoodwink the Court.”
The ASJ further warned that if Patkar fails to comply with the sentencing order on the next date, the Court will be "constrained to reconsider the benevolent sentence" and may have to alter the terms of punishment.
Patkar was convicted under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal defamation in a case dating back to 2001. The case was filed by VK Saxena, who was then heading an Ahmedabad-based NGO, alleging that Patkar had made defamatory statements against him in a press note titled "True Face of Patriot."
She was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and directed to pay Rs.10 lakh as compensation, with the sentence suspended pending appeal. However, she failed to adhere to the Court’s directions for availing the benefit of probation.
It is to be noted that in May 2024, Patkar was held guilty in the defamation case. The Court had held that her statements were “deliberate and malicious,” intended to tarnish Saxena’s reputation. It stated that the defamatory comments were not only per se harmful but were also crafted to incite negative public perception and cause substantial damage to Saxena’s standing.
Case Title: Medha Patkar v. V.K. Saxena
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