Social activist Medha Patkar arrested in 25-year-old defamation case

Delhi Police on Friday (April 25) arrested well-known social activist Medha Patkar in connection with a 25-year-old defamation case moved against her by Delhi’s Lt Governor VK Saxena.

The arrest happened two days after a Delhi court issued a non-bailable warrant against Patkar, who heads the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), for not furnishing a probation bond.

Patkar’s charge against Saxena

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court refused Patkar’s plea to stay for two weeks the proceedings for execution of the bond linked to the case. The High Court asked her to approach the trial court.

The case had been scheduled for a hearing on May 3.

Also read: Activist Medha Patkar convicted in defamation case filed by Delhi LG VK Saxena

A defamation case was slapped against Patkar after she alleged Saxena – who then headed an NGO in Gujarat – a “coward” and said that he was involved in hawala transactions.

Five-month jail sentence

Patkar had put out a press release on November 25, 2000 claiming that Saxena was secretly backing the NBA although his NGO had actively supported the Sardar Sarovar Project of the Gujarat government. The NBA was opposed to it.

Patkar also alleged that Saxena had given a cheque to the NBA but it bounced.

Last year, a magistrate held Patkar’s statements defamatory and sentenced her to a five-month jail term on July 1.

Also read:Defamation case: Delhi court sentences Medha Patkar to 5 months in jail

But Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh granted the activist a one-year probation in the case after suspending the sentence.

The judge also said that Patkar had won many awards for her work and that the offence committed by her was not grave enough to warrant imprisonment.

Born in December 1954, Patkar has worked in the areas of tribals, Dalits, farmers, labourers and women. While she is widely respected, Patkar has many critics who do not approve of her activism.