New Delhi, April 3 -- A Delhi Court has rejected the plea of Medha Patkar challenging her conviction in a defamation case filed by Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena 23 years ago.

"The challenge to conviction has been dismissed, and the conviction is sustained. Medha Patkar will appear on April 8 for the purpose of sentence," additional sessions judge Vishal Singh said.

Saxena had filed the case as president of the National Council of Civil Liberties against Patkar for her defamatory press release against Saxena issued on November 24, 2000.

On May 24, last year, a magisterial court observed that Patkar's statements calling Saxena a "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory per se but also "crafted t...