Today, the Delhi Court sentenced Medha Patkar, leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan, to 5 months of simple imprisonment in a defamation case filed against her by Vinai Kumar Saxena in 2001.

Currently, Saxena serves as Delhi's Lieutenant Governor.

The court stated that it is refraining from imposing excessive punishment on Patkar, considering her age and medical conditions. The judge further announced that the sentencing would be suspended for a period of 30 days.

Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma of Saket Courts also directed Patkar to pay Rs. 10 lakh in compensation to Saxena for the harm caused to him. Patkar had been convicted by the court on May 24 under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for criminal defamation.

Saxena filed the case against Patkar in 2001 when he served as the Chief of the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties.

After Saxena filed the complaint in 2001, a Metropolitan Magistrate court in Ahmedabad took cognizance of the offence under Section 500 of the IPC and issued process under Section 204 of the Cr.P.C against Patkar. On February 03, 2003, the case was transferred to a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in the national capital following orders from the Supreme Court. In 2011, Patkar pleaded not guilty and opted for trial.

While convicting her, the court noted that Patkar's actions were deliberate and malicious, aimed at tarnishing Saxena's reputation and causing significant harm to his credibility. The court observed that Patkar's statements, which included calling Saxena a coward, questioning his patriotism, and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions, were not only inherently defamatory but also designed to provoke negative perceptions against him.

During the hearing, the Court mentioned that Patkar had failed to substantiate her claims or demonstrate that she did not intend or anticipate the harm caused by her statements. The judge concluded that Patkar's labeling of the complainant as a "coward" and questioning his patriotism constituted a direct assault on his personal character and loyalty to the nation.