Medha Patkar arrested, later released on conditions in defamation case by Delhi L-G V K Saxena

The Delhi court observed on Thursday that Patkar 'deliberately' flouted its order to submit probation bonds and deposit Rs 1 lakh fine in the case.

Activist Medha Patkar was released on Friday, soon after she was arrested by Delhi Police after a Saket court issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against her yesterday in a defamation case filed against her by Delhi Lieutenant-Governor V K Saxena, as per news agency ANI.

The release of the social activist was subject to furnishing of a probation bond and depositing the compensation amount

This comes after a Delhi court observed on Thursday that Patkar 'deliberately' flouted its order to submit probation bonds and deposit Rs 1 lakh fine in the case.

Observing her plea for adjournment was "frivolous and mischievous" and filed with the intent to "hoodwink" it, the court had cautioned Patkar against her action, saying it could make it "reconsider the benevolent sentence".

Additional sessions judge Vishal Singh said, "Instead of appearing before the court to comply with the order on sentence dated April 8, the convict (Patkar) is absent and has deliberately failed to comply with the order on sentence and to avail of the benefit of probation subject to furnishing of the compensation amount."

The court went on, "The intention of the convict is apparent that she is deliberately violating the court order; she is avoiding appearing before the court and also avoiding accepting the terms of the sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this court on April 8."

Given the scenario, the court said, it was left with no other option but to enforce "her production through a coercive order".

(With PTI inputs)