Probe ordered into NCCL defamation charges against Medha Patkar

Ahmedabad, Jun 30 (UNI) A local court has asked the police to investigate the defamation charges levelled by National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) president V K Saxena against Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar and submit a detailed report to the court at the earliest.

This was in response to a criminal case filed by Mr Saxena in the city metropolitan court yesterday under sections 499 and 500 of IPC against Ms Patkar for levelling 'false allegations' against him in an interview to 'India TV' telecast on April 20, 'damaging his reputation in India and abroad'.

Mr T S Nanavati, who argued the case on behalf of Mr Saxena, told the court that Ms Patkar, in her interview to the electronic-channel under the programme 'Breaking News', alleged that Mr Saxena had received a civil contract for works related to Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) to espouse the cause of SSP.

The advocate said that during the interview, Ms Patkar even offered to produce CD containing allegations against Mr Saxena to the e-channel, which she could not.

After watching the 'India TV' programme' on a CD recorded by Mr Saxena, metropolitan magistrate A R Patel said that 'India TV' is a national channel and the statement of the accused has damaged the reputaion of the complainant. It is necessary the case be investigated by the police to establish the crime.

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