No Relief for Medha Patkar: Delhi HC Upholds Conviction in Defamation Case by LG VK Saxena
The Delhi High Court on July 29, 2025, upheld the criminal defamation conviction of Medha Patkar, in the case filed by Delhi LG V.K. Saxena in 2001, but amended her probation conditions to permit virtual appearances or representation. Justice Shalinder Kaur pronounced the verdict today.
"This court finds no illegality, perversity, or material irregularity in the findings recorded by the learned trial court. The order under challenge appears to have been passed after due consideration of the evidence on record," the court said.
Regarding the sentence imposed by the trial court, the high court said it found no grounds for interference while exercising its revisional jurisdiction.
However, it relaxed the probation condition, directing Patkar to appear before the trial court every three months. The single judge bench clarified that Patkar may choose to appear in person, join through video conferencing, or be represented by her counsel.
On July 15, the high court reserved its verdict on the plea filed by Patkar challenging her conviction and sentence.
Court had reserved the verdict after briefly hearing arguments made by Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing on behalf of Patkar and Advocate Gajinder Kumar representing LG V.K. Saxena.
In the case, 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.
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 Medha Patkar for failing to appear and comply with the sentencing order passed 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
Judgement Date: 29 July, 2025
Bench: Justice Shalinder Kaur