SC UPHOLDS MEDHA PATKAR'S DEFAMATION CONVICTION, BUT WAIVES ₹1L FINE

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the conviction of social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed by Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, but set aside the ₹1 lakh penalty imposed on her, along with conditions requiring supervision and regular court appearances.

- Abraham Thomas

A bench of justices MM Sundresh and NK Singh delivered the order while hearing Patkar’s appeal against a July 29 Delhi High Court ruling that had upheld her conviction.

“We are not inclined to interfere with the conviction. However, the penalty imposed on the appellant stands set aside,” the bench said, adding that the supervision order would “not be given effect to.”