Delhi L-G defamation case: Medha Patkar withdraws plea in SC

The bench was not inclined to grant any relief with regard to her challenge to the high court’s direction that denied Patkar the plea to examine any more witnesses in favour of her defamation complaint against Saxena. Sensing the mood of the bench, Patkar’s counsel decided to withdraw the plea.

The high court had previously upheld a trial court order of not allowing any new witness in the case. The trial court refused to allow any new witness in the case, saying it was only a delay tactic aimed at further prolonging the case which has been going on for decades and where none of her witnesses had proven her charges.

Saxena’s counsel, senior advocate Maninder Singh and advocates Gajinder Kumar and Kiran Jai, informed the bench that the ongoing matter in the trial court would continue to take its course.

Saxena and Patkar filed cross criminal defamation cases against each other. Saxena filed the case as president of National Council of Civil Liberties against Patkar for her defamatory press release against Saxena issued on November 24, 2000.