MJ Akbar vs Priya Ramani: Delhi court to resume final hearing in defamation case tomorrow

New Delhi: A Delhi court is scheduled to resume on Monday the final hearing in a criminal defamation complaint filed by former Union minister MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani for allegedly defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago. Ramani has said that her allegations of sexual misconduct against Akbar, made in the wake of #MeToo movement in 2018, were “her truth” and were made in public good . On 10 December, Ramani had told the court, “I have spoken my truth. I have said it in good faith and my truth refers to a question of good faith.” Recently-appointed Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey will resume the hearing on Monday. Since a new judge has taken over, parties are making final submissions afresh. In a previous hearing, Ramani disputed Akbar’s claims of having a stellar reputation “that had been tarnished by her allegation”. Akbar had filed the criminal defamation complaint against Ramani on 15 October, 2018. Akbar resigned as Union minister on 17 October, 2018. He had earlier told the court that Ramani defamed him by calling him with adjectives such as “media’s biggest predator” that harmed his reputation. Akbar has denied all the allegations of sexual harassment against the women who came forward during #MeToo campaign against him. Over 20 women came up with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by Akbar while they were working as journalists under him. He termed the allegations “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” and said he was taking appropriate legal action against them.