Author:
Publication: Haindava Keralam
Date: February 27, 2009
URL: http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=8278&SKIN=B
City Metropolitan Magistrate RG Chaudhary
today issued bailable warrant once again to Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao
Andolan in a defamation case filed by VK Saxena, president, National Council
for Civil Liberties, Ahmedabad, an NGO which is up in arms against Patkar
for her obstructionist role in Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) which is lifeline
of Gujarat.
Earlier on January 27 the same court had issued
a warrant against Patkar after she failed to appear even after four opportunities
were given to her. The court had directed Police Inspector Badwani, Madhya
Pradesh, to arrest her and bring her before the court on February 27.
Police Inspector Badwani in his report to the court had mentioned that a police
team visited Patkar's place on February 18 and she could not be traced. Police
recorded the statement of her staff Kailash Aksia and Vinod Bhargav who claimed
that "Medha is not residing here
and they are not aware where she is residing these days."
Saxena's advocate Kiran Agarwal pleaded that
Medha is a habitual offender and there are several instances where she ignored
court summons & orders where she herself was a complainant in many criminal
cases.
Citing several cases, Saxena pointed out that Medha had filed a case against
Jamuna Devi, former deputy chief minister of Madhya Pradesh . She had also
filed acriminal case against late Chhabildas Mehta, former chief minister
of Gujarat. Even a case filed against Saxena himself and against Editor of
Gujarat Samachar were all "dismissed in default" as the she failed
to pursue the cases despite several court notices.
The magistrate Chaudhary after hearing the advocate of Saxena in the absence
of Medha and her advocate ordered this time to the Superintendent of Police,
Badwani to arrest her and produce before the court on March 16.
The Controversy began when Patkar in an interview to India TV, telecast on
April 20, 2006 captioned "Breaking News" said "Mr Saxena is
getting civil contracts from Sardar Sarovar Nigam. I am ready to prove this
anytime". Saxena immediately denied all allegations in the same programme
and challenged her to provide evidence.
Saxena then sent a legal notice to Patkar
on April 29, 2006 and called upon her to prove her allegations. Patkar failed
to provide any evidence.
Saxena then filed a defamation case against
Patkar on June 29, 2006 in this court.The Court found prima facie case against
Patkar and passed a detailed order for summoning her on August 14 of last
year. The Court said "the evidence collected by the IO from the government
is attached.Nothing is found from this evidence that government had given
contracts for the construction of Narmada Dam to the complainant.
