Medha Patkar vs VK Saxena defamation case: Delhi L-G seeks exemption from appearance

Social activist Medha Patkar and Lieutenant Governor of Government of NCT of Delhi, VK Saxena, are at loggerheads as multiple cases are being contested between them before different courts at Ahmedabad and Delhi as well. One defamation complaint filed by Patkar as the complaint against the Lt. Governor, Saxena, and two criminal defamation cases filed by Mr. V.K. Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Govt. of NCT of Delhi as the complainant against Ms. Patkar, the accused; are pending before the Magistrate, Gaurav Dahiya, at Saket District Courts. The application for grant of permanent exemption from appearance has been moved on behalf of Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor, through his counsel Mr. Gajinder Kumar and Chandra Shekhar. It is also submitted on behalf of Saxena that the other application moved under article 361 of the Constitution of India be kept pending. The Counsel, Sridevi Panikkar, appearing on behalf of Patkar sought time to address the arguments and file a written reply. All the matters were adjourned for June 2nd 2023. In the cases, where the Lieutenant Governor is the complainant, applications seeking permanent exemption on his behalf are already pending.  The protection under the mandate of Article 361 of the Constitution of India was claimed at a Magistrate Court in Ahmedabad by Mr. Saxena, however the Magistrate Court refused the stay on trial.

In the 2002 Medha Patkar assault case, an Ahmedabad Magistrate Court on Monday denied the plea by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to stay a criminal trial against him while he is in office. Earlier, VK Saxena had urged that since he is the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, the trial of this issue should be kept delayed.

The Lieutenant Governor additionally asked that the Article 361 application be kept pending. On the request of the complainant's attorney, Magistrate Gaurav Dahiya set the matter for 02.06.2023 so that a reply could be submitted and arguments could be made to Advocate Sridevi, who was representing Medha Patkar.

On the same day, a hearing will also be held for the other two criminal complaints VK Saxena filed against Medha Patkar for defamation. Earlier, Medha Patkar had challenged VK Saxena's appeal where it was suggested that the hearing of the pending case against him should be postponed. After the Gujarat 2002 riots, some people attacked Medha Patkar.

Following that charges were made against VK Saxena as well. In the same case, a hearing was held in the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Gujarat, where VK Saxena filed a plea. Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao Andolan was reportedly attacked 21 years ago in 2002 at Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad.

A case had been registered against four people in this assault including Delhi LG VK Saxena. After the Gujarat riots, on March 7, 2002, a peace meeting was called at the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad by Medha Patkar. During this, some people opposed Medha Patkar and attacked her.

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