The case against Patkar was filed by VK Saxena two decades ago in 2001, when he was the President of an organisation called National Council of Civil Liberties.
In 2000, the organisation led by Saxena had published an advertisement against Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a movement that opposed the construction of dams over the Narmada river.
The advertisement was titled ‘True face of Ms. Medha Patkar and her Narmada Bachao Andolan’.
Following the publication of the advertisement, Patkar issued a press notice against Saxena. The press note titled ‘True Facts of a Patriot – Response to an Advertisement’ alleged that Saxena himself had visited Malegaon, praised Narmada Bachao Andolan, and paid ₹40,000 through a cheque to Lok Samiti for the Narmada Bachao Andolan. It also said that the cheque, which came from Lalbhai Group, had bounced.
“The cheque, please note, came from Lalbhai Group. What is the connection between Lalbhai Group and VK Saxena? Who among them is more ‘Patriot’” the press note added.
The reporting of the press note led Saxena to file a defamation suit against Patkar before a court in Ahmedabad in 2001. Saxena asserted that he never visited Malegaon and never praised NBA which, in his view, was working against the projects of national importance; and he did not give any cheque to Lok Samiti.
Patkar, on her part, denied having issued any press note or sending any press note or e-mail to anyone, including rediff.com, which had published the same.
The case was transferred to Delhi in 2003 on orders of the Supreme Court.
