New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday took cognisance of former Union minister M.J. Akbar’s criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani, who has accused him of sexual misconduct, and fixed October 31 as the date for recording his statement.
Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal considered the submissions of senior advocate Geeta Luthra, representing Akbar, who referred to various tweets of Ramani to allege that they have caused irreparable damage to the reputation of the former junior minister of external affairs.
Akbar has resigned due to these allegations and they show the damage caused to his reputation, says his lawyer.
Also read: M.J. Akbar, Minister and Former Editor, Sexually Harassed and Molested MeLuthra referred to Akbar’s reputation as a journalist and asked the court to take cognisance of his complaint, saying that the allegations have caused irreparable loss to his reputation built over 40 years.
The court will now record Akbar’s statement on October 31 and after being satisfied, it may issue notice to Ramani for appearing and facing trial in the defamation complaint.
Meanwhile, the Editors Guild of India has asked Akbar to withdraw the case and offered legal advice or assistance to Priya Ramani.
Former Mint Lounge editor, Priya Ramani was the first to accuse Akbar – who has now been accused by more than 15 women – of sexual harassment via a tweet. Ramani had written about her experience in a Vogue India article in October 2017 where she called out a ‘celebrity editor’ without naming him for his inappropriate behaviour with women journalists.
Soon after, multiple women offered their accounts of alleged sexual harassment by Akbar when he was a journalist.
Also Read: Thank You Very Much, Mr. AkbarHours after he returned from his African tour, Akbar dismissed the allegations as “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” and stated his intention of pursuing legal action against his accusers, hiring 97 lawyers to represent him in the case. Finally, on Wednesday, October 17, Akbar resigned from his position as Union minister of state for external affairs.
(With inputs from PTI)