Ending a saga that spanned over two decades, a Delhi magistrate has acquitted VK Saxena, current Delhi Lieutenant Governor, in a defamation suit initiated by prominent activist Medha Patkar. The Saket Court’s decision marks a crucial reprieve, dismissing charges under IPC Section 500 for lack of proof.
Magistrate Raghav Sharma’s order pointed out the absence of evidence tying Saxena to personal remarks against Patkar. The disputed 2000 ad, issued from his Gujarat-based NGO, focused on organizational critiques within the Narmada Bachao Andolan, not individual targeting.
Originating in 2000 amid heated Narmada debates, the case shifted to Delhi on Supreme Court orders. Saxena was not yet in public office, heading a civil liberties group instead.
In retaliation, Saxena sued Patkar, securing her conviction with a jail term and Rs 10 lakh payout—sentence later nullified, though guilt stood.
This mutual legal history reflects deep divisions over the Narmada project. The verdict bolsters Saxena’s defense of his advocacy, emphasizing free expression limits. For Patkar, it’s a jolt in her long fight for displaced communities. Broader implications loom for how courts handle activist critiques, balancing reputation and public interest in India’s democracy.