Medha Patkar Defamation Case: Delhi Court Gives Clean Chit To LG VK Saxena

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Raghav Sharma of Sake Court passed the order, granting Saxena the benefit of doubt and observing that the material placed on record did not establish defamation.

“The allegations are not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. You are acquitted,” the Court said, as Saxena appeared through video conferencing.

The case stemmed from an advertisement published on November 10, 2000, by the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), which was headed by Saxena as its president at the time. Patkar had alleged that the contents of the advertisement, which reproduced certain documents linked to the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), were false and defamatory.

During the proceedings, it was argued on behalf of Saxena that the publication was not defamatory and was issued in public interest. The defence submitted that NCCL had been actively engaged in issues of national and social importance, including supporting infrastructure projects such as the Sardar Sarovar Project and other hydroelectric initiatives considered vital for development.

The defence further contended that the advertisement reproduced two documents linked to NBA. These included a letter from an NBA employee, Chittaroopa Palit, enclosing what was described as a confidential risk analysis relating to certain foreign nationals, and a receipt along with a letter from Lok Samiti, a group stated to be supportive of NBA, reflecting receipt of donations indirectly for NBA through other supporters.

It was argued that the documents were reproduced after due verification and in good faith to inform the public and raise concerns of public importance. Counsel submitted that the documents were authored by individuals associated with or supporting NBA and had not been rebutted on record, making the publication neither false nor defamatory.

The defence also emphasised that the advertisement did not state or suggest that NBA was sharing state secrets or compromising national security, and any such interpretation was a misconception drawn by the complainant rather than something contained in the advertisement itself.

Notably, the development comes shortly after a related case saw Medha Patkar being acquitted in a defamation complaint filed by Saxena.

The complaint by Patkar had been filed against Saxena in his capacity as NCCL president, alleging that the publication had damaged her reputation and that of the movement. However, after examining the evidence and submissions, the court concluded that the ingredients necessary to establish criminal defamation were not met.

Advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran, Chandra Shekhar, Drishti and Somya appeared for Saxena in the matter.

Case Title: Medha Patkar v. VK Saxena