Medha Patkar Released After Arrest in 24-Year-Old Defamation Case
Social activist Medha Patkar, known for her work with the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), was arrested earlier this week after a 24-year-old defamation case against her was revived.
The case stems from a 2000 press statement where Patkar accused Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, who was heading an NGO at the time, of being a ‘coward’ and being involved in questionable financial dealings. She also alleged that he was secretly supporting the NBA’s opposition to the Sardar Sarovar Project, a hydroelectric dam project in Gujarat.
Initially, a magistrate court sentenced Patkar to five months in jail in July 2023, but the sentence was suspended, and she was granted bail. However, a court order from April 2023 required Patkar to furnish probation bonds by April 23, 2023, a condition she failed to meet.
A non-bailable warrant was issued against her, and she was arrested earlier this week. Patkar’s lawyer argued that she intended to fulfill the bond requirements and was on her way to court when she was arrested.
After Patkar was produced before the court, a judge allowed her to furnish the bonds, leading to her release.
This case highlights the long-standing tension between Patkar’s activism and the authorities. Patkar, a vocal critic of large-scale development projects, has often faced legal challenges for her outspoken stance.
