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Social activist Medha Patkar has moved sessions court to challenge the judgement in a defamation case registered against her based on a complaint lodged by VK Saksena, the lieutenant governor of Delhi.
Patkar was sentenced to five months in jail and a fine of Rs 10 lakh was also imposed. She was granted one month's bail to challenge the trial court judgement. The Court of Vishal Singh will hear her appeal on Monday. On July 1, Delhi's Saket Court sentenced Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar to five months of simple imprisonment. The court also directed her to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to complainant VK Saksena. On July 1, while pronouncing the order, the court said that considering her age, ailment and duration, it was not a severe punishment. The court said that her prayer for release on the condition of probation of good conduct was rejected. The court also said that the convict took defence but could not produce any evidence in her defence. Advocate Gajinder Kumar, the counsel for VK Saksena, submitted that they do not want any compensation and will give it to DLSA. The court said that compensation will be given to the complainant, and then you can dispose of it as you wish. The court convicted Medha Patkar on May 24 for defaming VK Saksena. After hearing the arguments on the sentence, the court reserved the order for May 30. "The truth can never be defeated. We are working for tribes and Dalits. We will challenge the order at the higher court," Medha Patkar said after the court order. Earlier, Saksena's counsel prayed to the court for maximum punishment for Medha Patkar. On the other hand, counsel for Medha Patkar prayed for releasing her on probation of good condition in view of her age. She was convicted in a defamation case filed by VK Saksena in 2001. (ANI)
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