Delhi HC Upholds Conviction of Medha Patkar

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court upheld the conviction and quantum of punishment for activist Medha Patkar relating to a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena in the year 2000. Patkar was accused of making defamatory remarks against Saxena, labelling him as a ‘coward’ and alleging his involvement in a Hawala transaction when he headed an NGO in Gujarat.

The magistrate court held the statement to be defamatory, and on July 1, 2024, Patkar was sentenced to a five-month jail term and was directed to pay a fine of ₹10 lakh. Patkar soon appealed against the conviction and approached the sessions court, which dismissed her appeal on April 2 and upheld the conviction. However, the sessions court reduced the punishment from a five-month jail term to one year of probation, and also reduced the fine amount from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 lakh.

“The court finds no illegality, perversity, or material irregularity in the findings recorded by the learned trial court/appellate court. The order under challenge appears to have been passed after due consideration of the evidence on record and the applicable law. The petitioner has failed to demonstrate glaring defects in following the procedure or manifest error on the point of law resulting in a flagrant miscarriage of justice that would justify interference by the court… Revisional jurisdictions…,” said the court order under Justice Kaur.

The sessions court now stipulates that Patkar shall appear before the trial court once every three months. The High Court has also granted her the liberty to appear physically or virtually, or be represented by an advocate.