L-G Saxena defamation case: Delhi HC stays Medha Patkar’s sentence, activist released 7 hours after arrest

While the sessions court on Friday was hearing the matter of Patkar’s arrest, it was informed of the HC order staying the sentence until May 20, following which, it directed that the activist be released after she furnishes bail bonds.

Following this, the police released Patkar from its custody seven hours after her arrest, PTI quoted police officers as saying. She was released around 4.30 pm after she deposited a bail bond of Rs 25,000, which was accepted by the court.

Patkar was arrested by the Delhi Police around 9.30 am, PTI reported, two days after the sessions court issued a non-bailable warrant against her by the sessions court for not furnishing probation bonds in the 24-year-old defamation case.

On Friday, following her release on bail by the sessions court, Patkar told media persons, “I wanted to comply with the Court orders. As per my advocate’s advice, I was trying to appear via VC but my video didn’t turn on. I had just come to Delhi today and the police picked me up from close to the railway station.”

In the morning, a team of police officers arrested Patkar on her arrival at the railway station and took her into custody. “We have executed the NBW and Medha Patkar has been arrested,” said DCP (South East) Ravi Kumar Singh.

She was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Vipin Kharb of Saket court around 12.30 pm.

“I only request to be released, so I can fulfill the conditions (of fulfilling probation bonds),” said Patkar’s counsel, appearing before Additional Sessions Judge Vipin Kharb of Saket Court.

“NBW has been executed. I am not arguing with that. The probation order still stands true as we stand before the court. I will furnish probation bonds today. I have been picked up on my way to the court,” the counsel argued.

After being informed of the HC stay, Judge Kharb directed that she be released after furnishing bail bonds.

The sessions court had on April 2 upheld Patkar’s conviction in the case by a magistrate court in 2024. The sessions court had, however, reduced the punishment from a five-month jail term to a one-year probation, and the fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 lakh in an order on April 8.

The probation would have been operational with execution of probation bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount for one year from the date of furnishing of the probation bond, and subject to deposition of Rs 1 lakh as fine.

On April 23, Patkar was expected to furnish the probation bond as well as the payment before the sessions court but failed to appear, following which, the sessions court issued NBW against her and listed the matter for hearing on May 3.

On Friday, Justice Kaur, noting that Patkar has been taken into custody, by way of an interim measure, ordered her release on bail by furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and one surety in the like amount. The HC also in further interim relief, suspended her sentence until May 20.

Patkar has been accused of making defamatory statements in 2000, calling Saxena, who then headed an NGO in Gujarat, a “coward” and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions.