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LG ‘defamation’: Delhi court suspends Medha Patkar’s jail term and grants her bail | Delhi News

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NEW DELHI: A court on Monday suspended the sentence of social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in 2000 when he was the chairman of the National Council of Civil Liberties in Gujarat.

Patkar was granted bail by Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh of Saket Courts on the condition that she furnish a surety bond of Rs 25,000 and a surety bond of like amount.

“The award dated 01.07.2024 remains stayed pending further decision during the period of appeal,” the court said, adding that Patkar would have to file both within seven working days from Monday. The court also asked Saxena to file a reply by September 4.

Saxena filed a complaint alleging that Patkar had issued a defamatory press release against him. Advocate Gajinder Kumar appeared for Saxena while advocate Sridevi Panikkar represented Patkar.

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This development came after another court sentenced Patkar to five months in jail on July 1. The court had also directed Patkar to pay Saxena Rs 10 lakh as compensation, adding that in case of default, she would have to serve three more months in jail.

Although the court took into account Patkar’s age of 70 and her state of health, it ultimately concluded that these factors “do not absolve her of the seriousness of her offence”.

“The baseless allegations such as involvement in hawala transactions and compromising the interests of the people of Gujarat in favour of foreign companies were aimed at damaging the public image and credibility of the plaintiff. The reputation, trustworthiness and social standing of the plaintiff have been seriously damaged,” the court said.

“These defamatory remarks caused severe personal and professional difficulties and forced the plaintiff to endure the agony of a protracted legal battle for over 20 years,” the verdict continued.

On May 24, the court convicted Patkar of defamation. The maximum punishment for this offence was a prison term of up to two years or a fine, or both.

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