The court took into account that earlier also it had shfited a defamation case to Patiala House court here from Ahmedabad.
The Supreme Court today shifted the trial in a defamation case against Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar from Gujarat to the national capital, allowing her plea in this regard.
The NBA leader had sought transfer of the case filed by VK Saxena, president of Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), in a Gujarat court in 2006 for her allegedly defamatory remarks during a TV debate pertaining to Sardar Sarovar Project.
The court took into account that earlier also it had shfited a defamation case to Patiala House court here from Ahmedabad.
A bench comprising justice B Sudershan Reddy and justice SS Nijjar declined the submission of Saxena's counsel Amar Dave
to put some conditions for shifting the trial.
During the brief hearing when Patkar's counsel Prashant Bhushan informed the Bench about the other case being heard at the Patiala House court, Dave questioned the conduct of the NBA leader saying she was not prosecuting that case and was avoiding appearance before the trial court.
Saxena's counsel said Patkar has been visiting Gujarat and it would be no problem for her if the case was shifted outside Ahmedabad at any other place in Gujarat.
However, the Bench said since another case is already placed before a trial court here, the complainant should not have any problem.
The NBA activist had told the Supreme Court that she was seeking transfer of a criminal defamation case against her outside Gujarat as there was a threat to her life in the state from the members of the NGO.
Saxena had opposed Patkar's plea on the ground that she allegedly suppressed various material facts and documents.
Saxena had filed the complaint against Patkar on June 29, 2006 before metropolitan magistrate Gheekanta, Ahmedabad, accusing her of making a false statement that he received civil contracts relating to the SSP in the name of NCCL.
Patkar and Saxena are locked in five criminal cases against each other. The NBA activist has registered three cases against Saxena.
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