Legal Trouble Deepens for Medha Patkar: Calling her plea “frivolous” and “mischievous,” a Delhi court has ordered coercive action against Patkar, citing deliberate defiance of court orders.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, April 23, 2025 — In a major legal setback to social activist Medha Patkar, a Delhi Sessions Court on Tuesday issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against her for failing to comply with its previous sentencing order in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena.
The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh, who took serious note of what the court termed as Patkar’s “deliberate non-compliance” with the court’s directions issued on April 8, 2025.
Background of the Case
The defamation case stems from a complaint lodged by VK Saxena, relating to alleged defamatory remarks made by Patkar. The Sessions Court had, on April 8, convicted her and ordered her to furnish probation bonds and deposit ₹1 lakh as compensation.
The court had specifically summoned Patkar for her personal appearance on April 8 for submission on sentence and formal compliance with the order.
For Court ORDER Click here: NBW-1
Patkar’s Legal Strategy and Court’s Observations
Instead of complying with the sentence, Patkar moved the Delhi High Court on April 22, seeking a two-week deferment in the execution of the sentence. However, the High Court did not pass any order staying the sentence or granting her relief.
Subsequently, on April 23, Patkar again approached the Sessions Court, seeking adjournment on the grounds of her pending criminal revision petition (No. 129/2025) before the High Court. However, Judge Vishal Singh dismissed her application in strong terms, calling it “frivolous, mischievous, and only calculated to hoodwink the Court.”
The court categorically noted that the High Court’s order dated April 22 did not include any direction that would absolve Patkar from complying with the sentencing order passed on April 8.
Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant
Highlighting Patkar’s continued absence and failure to comply with its sentencing conditions, the court remarked:
“The intention of convict Medha Patkar is apparent—she is deliberately violating the court’s order, avoiding appearance, and evading the terms of the sentence. There is no stay on the sentence. The Court is left with no option but to enforce her production through coercive means.”
The judge consequently directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to execute Non-Bailable Warrants against Patkar and ensure her production before the court on the next hearing date—May 3, 2025.
Warning of Harsher Sentence
In a strong cautionary note, the court added that if Patkar again fails to comply with its directions on the next date, the court would be compelled to reconsider the “benevolent sentence” earlier awarded. The implication is that a harsher punitive order may follow if non-compliance continues.
The matter has now been listed for May 3, 2025, for submission of a compliance report regarding the execution of the NBW and for further proceedings.
This development significantly escalates the legal complications for Patkar, who faces not only enforcement of the current sentence but also the prospect of a revised and potentially stricter punishment if the court’s directions remain unheeded.
