The additional chief judicial magistrate PN Goswami has rejected the plea of Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena to halt the trial against him in an assault case until he leaves his office. The court refused to increase the pendency of cases in Gujarat courts. The case was registered against Saxena for allegedly assaulting activist Medha Patkar during a peace meeting at Gandhi Ashram in April 2002 against Gujarat riots.
Saxena had filed the plea requesting the court to keep the trial in abeyance until his term as the Delhi L-G ends. However, the court rejected the plea and said that it would not increase the burden of pending cases in Gujarat courts.
The court order was made available on Friday, stating that Saxena’s plea has been dismissed. The court also directed the accused to remain present during the next hearing, which is scheduled for May 24.
Medha Patkar is a well-known social activist who has been working for the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society. She was allegedly assaulted by Saxena during a peace meet at Gandhi Ashram, which was organized to protest against the Gujarat riots that took place in 2002.
The case against Saxena was registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code. Patkar had lodged a complaint against Saxena, alleging that he had assaulted her during the peace meeting.
Saxena, on the other hand, denied the allegations and claimed that he had not assaulted Patkar. He stated that he had only tried to remove her from the meeting as she was causing a disturbance.
The court’s decision to reject Saxena’s plea has come as a relief to Patkar and her supporters who have been fighting for justice in this case for several years. The court’s decision indicates that nobody is above the law, and everyone must face the consequences of their actions, regardless of their position or power.
The case against Saxena is a reminder that violence against activists and dissenters is not acceptable in a democratic society. The court’s decision to proceed with the trial sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely.
The court’s rejection of Saxena’s plea to halt the trial against him until his term as Delhi L-G ends is a significant development in this case. It shows that justice will prevail, and those who violate the law will be held accountable for their actions.
