New Delhi: Prominent activist Medha Patkar was on Friday convicted by a Delhi court in a criminal defamation case filed against her by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
As per the conviction order passed by Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma, the Narmada Bachao Andolan founder faces a fine or a jail term of two years, or both.
Magistrate Sharma, while delivering the judgment in the case which was filed in 2006, said that reputation is one of the most valuable assets a person can possess, as it affects both personal and professional relationships and can also significantly impact an individual’s standing in society.
Patkar and Saxena’s legal battles date back to 2000, when Saxena was headed the National Council for Civil Liberties, an Ahmedabad-based NGO, reported NDTV.
Patkar had filed a case against Saxena for publishing advertisements against her and Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Saxena also filed two cases against Patkar for “derogatory” comments about him on a television channel and also issuing a “defamatory” press statement.
Narmada Bachao Andolan’s contention was that the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat could potentially affect 40,000 families.
Massive protests were organised, alerting families they may have to leave their homes which could be submerged.
The project, embroiled in controversies then-PM Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone in 1961, was inaugurated in 2017.
