In a significant legal development, the Saket Court rejected Medha Patkar’s plea to introduce a new witness in her defamation case.
The Court’s decision marks another chapter in the long-running legal battle between Patkar and her accuser, as it questioned the intent behind the sudden request to present new evidence.
Background & Court’s Ruling
The defamation case, which has been pending for 24 years, revolves around a lawsuit filed by activist Arun Saxena.
In a recent move, Patkar sought permission to present a new witness, a request that was immediately dismissed by the Court.
The Judicial Magistrate emphasized that the plea was filed with the intention of delaying proceedings further, given that all witnesses had already testified over the years.
Moreover, Patkar had previously requested to present a new witness in August 2023, but she failed to provide relevant information or follow up on that request.
The Magistrate raised concerns that the sudden introduction of a new witness without proper justification undermines the credibility of the case and questioned Patkar’s motives.
The Court stated that presenting a new witness, which Patkar had never mentioned during the long course of the case, appeared suspicious and lacked merit.
The Magistrate further criticized Patkar’s legal team for filing the plea under incorrect legal provisions.
Despite this, the Court agreed to hear the plea on its merit but ultimately found no valid grounds for allowing the new witness.
The Judge emphasized that permitting such requests without a strong basis could set a harmful precedent, leading to an endless cycle of delays.
The Court expressed its stance, stating that it would not allow further delays in the case, which Patkar had caused by requesting adjournments 94 times.
Legal Implications & The Future Of The Case
Although the Magistrate rejected the request, Patkar’s five-month sentence, imposed by a Magistrate’s court, remains suspended for now, pending a decision in the higher courts.
Saxena had filed the defamation case 23 years ago when Patkar was leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan in Gujarat.
The Magistrate Court had convicted Patkar in May 2024, sentencing her to five months of simple imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹10 lakh.
Patkar challenged the verdict in the Sessions Court, which suspended her sentence on July 29, 2024, and ordered Saxena to file a response.
The ongoing defamation case has not only been a personal and political dispute but also sparked debates on the limits of activism and defamation laws in India.
As the legal battle continues, the Court’s firm stance on preventing further delays in the case sends a strong message about the importance of timely justice.
The fate of Patkar’s legal challenges now rests with the higher courts, while the case itself remains a point of contention within the political and activist circles.
The rejection of the request for a new witness reflects the Court’s commitment to resolving the matter swiftly, ensuring that it does not drag on for another decade.
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