New Delhi : A court here Tuesday posted the hearing of a defamation case against Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar for Aug 13 after she and the head of an Ahmedabad-based NGO informed it that they are not willing to compromise and withdraw the cases lodged against each other 13 years ago.
The court was hearing three separate defamation cases lodged by Patkar and National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) president V.K. Saxena against each other.
Metropolitan Magistrate Bhawna Kalia listed the matter for Aug 13 to order on framing of charge against Patkar in one case.
It will also record evidence in other two cases, in which charges are already framed, on the next date of hearing.
“Since the matter is listed for complainant evidence, complainant (Patkar) is directed to appear before it without fail. List the matter for Aug 13,” the court said.
The court meanwhile granted exemption from appearance to Patkar, sought on grounds that she is busy with election campaigning as she is contesting from Mumbai North East Lok Sabha seat on Aam Aadmi Party ticket but directed her to remain present on the next date of hearing without fail.
In January, the court has asked them to settle the issues.
Saxena told court that he approached Patkar for settlement but she refused to agree to some of the clauses put by him, therefore, he was not going to settle the issue.
Meanwhile, Patkar’s counsel V.K. Ohri submitted that Saxena has asked them to withdraw the other case lodged against him at Ahmedabad which was not possible for them.
Patkar had filed a case against Saxena for publishing a book “True Face of Medha Patkar and her NBA” in 2000. Saxena, in return, filed two cases against Patkar.