Medha Patkar, the prominent social activist known for her involvement in the Narmada Bachao Andolan, was arrested in Delhi on April 25, 2025, in connection with a defamation case filed against her by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The Saket court had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant for her arrest after she failed to comply with previous court orders related to the defamation case. Patkar, who was arrested from Nizamuddin Railway Station, is now set to be produced before the court at 2 pm on the same day.

The case dates back to a press release issued by Patkar on 24 November 2000, in which she made serious allegations against VK Saxena. In the release, she accused him of being a "coward" and suggested that he was involved in hawala transactions. She further alleged that Saxena was mortgaging Gujarat's people and resources to foreign interests. Saxena, who was at the time the President of the National Council of Civil Liberties, filed the defamation case, asserting that these claims were both false and damaging to his public image.

In May 2022, a magisterial court ruled that Patkar's statements were indeed defamatory. The court found that her comments were not only inherently damaging but also intentionally designed to tarnish Saxena's public image and credibility. The court's ruling was unequivocal, calling Patkar's remarks a direct assault on Saxena's integrity and public service record.

Earlier, Patkar had been sentenced to three months in jail, but due to concerns about her age and health, the court had granted her relief by releasing her on probation, subject to the condition that she pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and comply with all court orders. However, Patkar failed to deposit the compensation, and when summoned to appear in court on April 23, she cited a High Court order as an excuse for her absence.

The court, taking a stern view of Patkar's disregard for its orders, issued the non-bailable warrant and directed her to appear in court on May 3, 2025. The judge noted that Patkar's actions appeared to be an attempt to evade the judicial process, and warned that a harsher sentence could be imposed if she failed to comply again.

This latest development has marked another escalation in Patkar's legal battles, which have lasted for over two decades. Despite her attempts to evade accountability, the legal process is now moving forward with significant consequences. The sessions court had earlier upheld Patkar’s conviction, and while it had granted her release on probation, Patkar’s failure to meet the court’s conditions may now result in the imposition of a more severe penalty.

The defamation case, which began with the allegations made by Patkar in 2000, has now come to a critical juncture. Patkar, 70, a veteran activist, now faces the prospect of further legal consequences unless she fully complies with the conditions set by the court.

The case highlights the complexities of defamation in the public sphere, particularly when the allegations involve prominent figures in public life, such as the Lieutenant Governor. It also raises questions about accountability, especially in cases where activists like Patkar challenge established authorities with potentially harmful accusations.

As the legal proceedings continue, both Patkar and Saxena's teams will be preparing for the next steps in this long-standing legal battle. For now, Patkar's arrest signals the serious consequences of her actions, and the public will be watching closely as the court decides the future course of this case.

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