Saket Court brought closure to a protracted legal fight on January 25, dismissing criminal defamation charges against Medha Patkar filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The activist’s acquittal stems from the prosecution’s evidentiary shortcomings in a case dating back to 2001.
At issue were Patkar’s supposed 2006 TV comments accusing Saxena’s NGO of Sardar Sarovar contract favors during his National Council for Civil Liberties tenure. Judicial Magistrate Raghav Sharma ruled that no proof established Patkar as a live participant; a mere pre-recorded clip was broadcast, falling short of defamation thresholds.
The court’s analysis highlights media evidence standards, rejecting assumptions for facts. This, coupled with absent corroborative documents, doomed the complaint.
Patkar’s storied resistance to Narmada displacements has invited legal challenges, including this and a parallel press-related suit. The verdict validates her position, critiquing unsubstantiated reputational attacks on activists.
In broader terms, it fortifies journalistic and activist speech, demanding rigorous proof in defamation matters. As Patkar persists in justice quests, this ruling redirects scrutiny to systemic issues like forced evictions, reinforcing accountability over suppression.