New Delhi, Apr 08 (UNI) A Delhi Court after hearing on Tuesday granted one year probation to Medha Patkar in a defamation case filed by Delhi's LG Vinay Kumar Saxena with the condition to furnishing a bond of good conduct.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh after considering the age of Patekar also reduced the amount of fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs one lakh.
On the last date of hearing, the court said, "The evidence led by respondent during trial proved beyond reasonable doubt that Medha Patkar published the Press Note dated 24/11/2000 carrying imputations on his character with intent to harm or having reason to believe that the imputations will harm his reputation. The appellant was rightly convicted for offence U/s. 500 IPC.There is no substance in appeal so far as it impugns the
judgment of conviction and it is dismissed."
The court also directed Patekar to appear in person before the court on April, 08 for filing her submissions on point of sentence and order on sentence.
The Judicial Magistrate First Class(JMFC) convicted Patekar in May 2024 and pronounce a sentence and fine on July 1, 2024 for defaming V K Saxena (current LG Delhi).
The Judicial Magistrate First Class(JMFC) pronounced the imprisonment of five-month and fine of Rs. 10 lakh on Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar as compensation to Complainant V K Saxena. In default of payment of fine, the Patekar was ordered to undergo further sentence of Simple Imprisonment of 03 months.
The JMFC's court rejected her request for release on probation of good conduct.
Patekar had filed an appeal under section 415(3) of Bhartiya Naagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023 by challenging the judgment dated 24.05.2024 and order on sentence dated 01.07.2024 passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class, in case titled as V. K. Saxena versus Medha Patekar.
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