Medha Patkar arrested, freed after defamation case fine

Delhi (Net News): Social activist Medha Patkar was arrested by Delhi Police on Friday, following a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, only to be released later that day after paying a Rs 1 lakh fine, as reported across leading national newspapers.

Arrest and court proceedings

Patkar, 70, was detained Friday morning after a Saket court issued a non-bailable warrant on April 23 for failing to appear. She was presented in court and released at 4:30 pm upon paying the fine, following her conviction in the long-pending case.

Background of the defamation case

The Indian Express notes that the case stems from 2000, when Saxena, then an NGO Chief in Gujarat during the Narmada Bachao Movement, accused Patkar of damaging his reputation with her remarks. Convicted in July 2024, she was initially released on probation, but her absence from the April 8 hearing triggered the warrant.

Legal developments

Patkar’s lawyer sought an adjournment due to a pending High Court appeal, but the court dismissed it. The judge mandated her appearance by May 3, reinforcing the Rs 1 lakh fine and probation terms, underscoring the legal pressure on the activist.

Context and implications

The case, highlighted by The Telegraph, reflects a decades-old feud, with Saxena’s allegations clashing with Patkar’s environmental activism. Her arrest and swift release have reignited debates on defamation laws, drawing attention from national outlets covering her enduring fight for justice.