Delhi Court Clears LG VK Saxena in 25-Year-Old Defamation Case Filed by Medha Patkar
A city court in New Delhi on Thursday acquitted Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in a criminal defamation case that had been pending for 25 years, filed against him by prominent social activist Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The court's decision came after a thorough examination of the evidence and testimonies presented during the lengthy trial.
Court Cites Irreconcilable Contradictions in Complainant's Case
Judicial Magistrate Raghav Sharma, while delivering the verdict, stated that the complainant's case suffered from irreconcilable contradictions and that Patkar had failed to establish personal defamation against her. The magistrate noted that her shifting stand during the trial goes to the very root of her credibility, significantly weakening her legal position.
Background of the Defamation Case
The case originated from an advertisement titled True face of Medha Patkar and her Narmada Bachao Andolan, which was published in a newspaper in November 2000. At that time, Saxena was serving as the president of the National Council for Civil Liberties. The advertisement alleged that the Narmada Bachao Andolan was involved in passing confidential documents to foreign nationals and receiving funds through hawala transactions.
Medha Patkar contended that the advertisement contained false and defamatory imputations against the movement, which she argued extended to her personally. However, the court held a different view, stating that the advertisement had criticized the functioning of the Andolan as an organisation and did not attribute any imputation to Patkar in her personal capacity.
Key Inconsistencies in Patkar's Testimony
A crucial factor that weighed against Patkar was the inconsistency between her initial complaint and her testimony regarding a risk analysis document concerning the internal workings of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. This document, authored by member Chitrupa Palit, was admittedly sent to Swiss nationals Kurt Voegele and Hansruedi Pfeiffer.
- In her complaint, Patkar acknowledged the authenticity of the document and justified its circulation abroad, asserting that it didn't compromise national interest.
- During cross-examination, however, she claimed ignorance about the document, creating a significant contradiction in her statements.
The court emphasized that these contradictions were not minor but strike at the heart of the complainant's version. It added that her denial appeared to be an afterthought, confirming that a letter reproduced in the advertisement was genuine and based on actual correspondence between Palit and the Swiss nationals.
Historical Context and Related Cases
This case is part of a broader legal history between the two parties. In 2001, VK Saxena filed two defamation complaints against Medha Patkar over remarks reportedly made by her. Interestingly, Patkar was cleared in one of these cases just last week, highlighting the complex and protracted nature of their legal disputes.
The acquittal of LG VK Saxena marks a significant legal victory for him, bringing closure to a quarter-century-old case that has seen numerous twists and turns. The court's ruling underscores the importance of consistency and credibility in legal proceedings, particularly in defamation cases where personal reputation is at stake.
