A Delhi court on Wednesday framed defamation charge against journalist Priya Ramani in a case filed by ex-Union minister M J Akbar. She had earlier levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Ramani, who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
Last year, in a series of #MeToo allegations that came to the limelight, the name of former Union Minister and journalist M J Akbar also came to the forefront. One of them was Priya Ramani who had alleged him of sexual harassment, when they worked together in their previous professional roles.
She was the first among a number of women who accused MJ Akbar of sexual misconduct during his time as a media personality and journalist, forcing him to resign as the junior foreign minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet on October 17, 2018.
Right after he resigned, Priya Ramani had tweeted, “As women we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court.”
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MJ Akbar’s legal team had told the court that Priya Ramani damaged his reputation by levelling “false, wild and baseless allegations”.
He resigned as Union minister in October last year and went on to file a criminal defamation complaint against Ramani for the accusation. He denied the charge of sexual misconduct that was filed against him.
Nearly 20 women have accused Akbar of sexual misconduct in different cases.
The next hearing of the court is on May 4. However, reports states that the court granted permanent exemption to Ms Ramani from personal appearance.