Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena scored a decisive win today as a local court dismissed a defamation complaint lodged against him by veteran activist Medha Patkar over two decades ago. The Saket district court acquitted Saxena, ruling that there was insufficient proof linking him directly to any personal attack on Patkar.
Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Raghav Sharma emphasized the lack of concrete evidence in the records. The 2000 advertisement in question, published during Saxena’s tenure as head of a Gujarat NGO, took aim at the Narmada Bachao Andolan’s activities rather than singling out Patkar. This distinction proved pivotal in the court’s decision to drop charges under IPC Section 500.
The protracted litigation began when Saxena was actively involved in civil liberties work in Ahmedabad, well before his Delhi posting. Transferred from Gujarat to Delhi per Supreme Court directive, the case highlighted enduring tensions between environmental activists and their critics.
Interestingly, Saxena had countersued Patkar for defamation, resulting in her conviction, a brief jail term, and a hefty fine—later modified by higher courts. This latest acquittal levels the playing field in their mutual legal confrontations.
As news of the verdict spreads, it reignites debates on free speech, activism, and the Narmada project’s controversies. Supporters of Saxena hail it as vindication against ‘baseless’ allegations, while Patkar’s camp may explore appeal options. The ruling serves as a benchmark for similar disputes in India’s vibrant civil society landscape.
