On Friday, social activist Medha Patkar decided to withdraw her petition from the Delhi High Court, where she had challenged her conviction for criminal defamation against Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Patkar had appealed to the High Court to overturn the decisions of both the trial court and the sessions court, which had found her guilty of defamation. However, during the brief hearing, her lawyer requested permission to withdraw the petition, mentioning plans to file a new one. Justice Shalinder Kaur granted the request, allowing her to withdraw the plea and have the option to approach the court again.

The court noted in its order, “This is an application seeking withdrawal. Counsel for the petitioner seeks to withdraw with liberty to file afresh. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty as prayed.”

Earlier today, Delhi Police arrested Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar after a local court issued a non-bailable warrant against her in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Saxena. The case dates back to 2000, when Patkar issued a press release on November 24, accusing Saxena, who was then leading the National Council of Civil Liberties, of being a "coward," linking him to hawala transactions, and claiming he was "mortgaging" Gujarat’s people and resources to foreign interests. Last year, a magisterial court ruled that these statements were defamatory and meant to stir negative public sentiment.

After sentencing arguments concluded on May 30, 2024, the court reserved its decision until June 7. On July 1, Patkar was sentenced to five months in prison but later received probation for good conduct, with a requirement to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. This leniency was granted by the sessions court under Judge Vishal Singh at Saket Court on April 8, 2025. However, Patkar did not appear in court on April 23 to formally submit her probation bonds or pay the fine. Her failure to show up and comply with the conditions led the court to issue a non-bailable warrant through the Delhi Police Commissioner.

The court order stated, "The intention of convict Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the Court order; she is avoiding to appear before the Court and also avoiding to accept the terms of sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this Court on 08/04/2025." Judge Singh also noted that the Court had no choice but to take action to ensure Medha Patkar’s presence. The order read, "Issue NBWs against convict Medha Patkar, through office of Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, for next date."