New Delhi: In one of the most highlighted cases involving #metoo movement, ex-Union Minister and journalist MJ Akbar alleged in sexual harassment allegations by journalist Priya Ramani, will testify in Delhi court today with regard to the defamation case he has filed against lady journalist.
When a Delhi court took up his case on October 18, Mr Akbar wasn’t present.
After resigning as junior foreign minister on October 17, Mr. Akbar said, “Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levied against me.”
He has accused Priyanka Ramani of “intentionally putting forward malicious, fabricated and salacious” allegations to harm his reputation.
As a reply to this, Ms. Ramani said she was ready to fight the defamation complaint and “truth and the absolute truth is my only defense”. She added that women who have spoken against Mr. Akbar “have done so at great risk to personal and professional lives,”.
M J Akbar is accused by 20 women in total for his sexual misconduct during his stint in The Telegraph and The Asian Age. Ms Ramani was the first woman to name him. Prerna Singh Bindra, Ghazala Wahab, Shutapa Paul, Anju Bharti, Suparna Sharma, Shuma Raha, Malini Bhupta, Kanika Gahlout, Kadambari M Wade, Majlie de Puy Kamp and Ruth David are amongst the others who raised their voice against the ex minister.
Kalinga AI