MJ Akbar-Priya Ramani Case Updates: Delhi court pushes date of verdict; judgment on 17 February

Akbar, Ramani reach Delhi court

Reports say that MJ Akbar and Priya Ramani have both reached the court along with their legal teams. Akbar was represented by senior advocate Geeta Luthra while Ramani was represented by Advocate Rebecca John.

Harm done by the person who ignites the flame first, Akbar tells the court

Akbar told the Delhi court on 18 January that harm to his reputation was done by journalist Priya Ramani as she instigated and ignited the flame first when she accused him of sexual misconduct that allegedly took place decades ago.

Akbar was replying to Ramani’s argument that she was not alone but many women journalists have accused him of sexual miscount but he filed a defamation complaint only against her. 

“It doesn’t matter what people say post facto. Harm is done by the man who instigates and ignites the flame first,” Akbar’s counsel told the court.

MJ Akbar singled me out: Priya Ramani

During the course of the hearing, Ramani had told the Delhi court that she was not alone in accusing Akbar of sexual misdemeanour but he had singled her out in the defamation complaint, according to  Live Law. 

Over 20 women accused Akbar of sexually harassment during the time they had worked with him as journalists. He has, however, termed the allegations “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” while stressing that he was taking appropriate legal action against them. He had to step down as the Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs in the wake of these allegations.

Delhi court verdict in MJ Akbar’s defamation case today

A Delhi court will today pass its verdict in the criminal defamation case brought against journalist Priya Ramani by editor-turned-politician MJ Akbar. Akbar had filed the case against Ramani in October 2018 citing an article she had written and a subsequent tweet in which she had alleged that the former editor of Asian Age newspaper had sexually harassed her during a job interview in 1994.