Veteran social activist Medha Patkar was arrested by Delhi Police on Friday for not submitting probation bonds in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The arrest came after a Delhi court issued a non-bailable warrant on Wednesday due to Patkar’s repeated absence and failure to follow court orders, including submitting a ₹1 lakh fine. The case dates back to 2000, when Saxena, then head of the Gujarat-based NGO National Council of Civil Liberties, accused Patkar of defaming him in a press release from November 24, 2000.

Earlier this month, the court convicted Patkar and granted her probation, conditional on good behavior and a fine. However, her failure to appear and comply led the judge to consider revisiting the sentence. Saxena’s lawyer claimed Patkar was intentionally dodging legal obligations, while the court criticized her plea to delay proceedings as "mischievous and frivolous." The defamation case involves Patkar allegedly calling Saxena a “coward” and accusing him of hawala links and betrayal of Gujarat’s interests. A magistrate ruled last year that her statements were defamatory and aimed at damaging Saxena’s reputation.

Medha Patkar is widely known for leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan, opposing large infrastructure projects like the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which she argues displace tribal communities and harm the environment. Her activism has included peaceful protests, hunger strikes, and multiple arrests over the years.