Delhi HC Reserves Verdict on Medha Patkar’s Plea Against Conviction in LG Saxena Defamation Case
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, reserved its verdict on a plea filed by activist Medha Patkar challenging her conviction and sentence in a criminal defamation case initiated by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
A bench led by Justice Shalinder Kaur reserved the order after briefly hearing arguments made by Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing on behalf of Patkar and Advocate Gajinder Kumar representing LG V.K. Saxena.
The High Court also directed both parties to file their written submissions by July 18, 2025.
Notably, Patkar was convicted of criminal defamation and sentenced to up to 5 months in simple imprisonment along with compensation. The case stemmed from a suit filed by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena claiming that Patkar had made defamatory statements on television aimed at ruining Saxena's reputation. The Court also held that the statements by Patkar were "malicious and deliberate."
In the previous hearing, Senior Advocate Parikh submitted that, per the provision, they can examine witnesses who were not included in the original witness list. On April 25, the Court granted interim relief to Patkar by suspending her sentence after she was arrested for failing to comply with the probation conditions set by the Sessions Court.
On April 23, a Delhi Court had 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.
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.
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 V.K. 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.
For Petitioner: Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh with Advocates Sridevi Panikkar, Abhimanue, and Kritika
For Respondent: Advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, and Chandra Shekhar
Case Title: Medha Patkar v. LG VK Saxena