Supreme Court Confirms Medha Patkar’s Criminal Defamation Conviction, Waives ₹1 Lakh Fine

The Supreme Court upheld activist Medha Patkar’s conviction in a 25-year-old criminal defamation case filed by Delhi LG V.K. Saxena affirming earlier findings that her statements were defamatory.

However, a bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh set aside the ₹1 lakh penalty previously imposed and modified probation, allowing her to furnish bonds instead of appearing periodically in court.

Patkar’s counsel had challenged witness credibility and the admissibility of an email under Section 65B of the Evidence Act, but the bench declined to overturn the conviction.

[Medha Patkar v. VK Saxena]