India, July 29 -- The Delhi high court on Tuesday upheld a trial court verdict convicting social activist Medha Patkar in a criminal defamation case filed in 2001 against her, ruling that she was convicted in 2024 after due consideration of the evidence on record and the law.

The defamation case was filed by lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who headed a non-profit at the time, against Patkar, who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) that mobilised protests against the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

"Upon careful perusal of the record, appreciation of the arguments advanced by both sides and a thorough examination of the evidence, this court finds no perversity, illegality or material irregularity in the findings recorded...