In a significant development, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has been acquitted in a criminal defamation case brought against him by Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations against Saxena under Section 500 of the IPC. It was noted that the criticism in question was directed at the NBA as an organization and specific individuals, not personally at Medha Patkar.
The court highlighted that there was no indication that Saxena had made any defamatory statements against Medha Patkar with the intent to harm her reputation. The case, which dates back 25 years, originated when Saxena was associated with an NGO in Ahmedabad and not yet in his role as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The legal proceedings were moved from Ahmedabad to Delhi as per the Supreme Court’s directive.
This legal battle stemmed from a defamation case filed by Patkar against Saxena for publishing advertisements against her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan. In turn, Saxena also filed a defamation case against Patkar for tarnishing his image in a press release titled ‘True face of patriot.’ While Patkar was initially sentenced to imprisonment and fined, the penalty was later suspended, and she was granted bail. The Supreme Court upheld her conviction but revoked the penalty.
