New Delhi, July 16 -- The Delhi High Court reserved its judgment on a petition filed by activist Medha Patkar challenging her conviction in a defamation case lodged by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. The matter was heard by Justice Shalinder Kaur, who granted liberty to both parties to submit their written arguments by July 18.

The defamation case dates back 23 years, to a time when Saxena was heading an NGO in Gujarat. Patkar, a 70-year-old leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, had appealed the April 2 order of a sessions court which upheld her conviction previously pronounced by a magisterial court.

Represented by senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, Patkar contested the findings, while advocate Gajinder Kumar appeared for Saxena. Th...