Priya Ramani pleads not guilty after Delhi court frames defamation charge against journalist in case filed by MJ Akbar

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday framed defamation charge against journalist Priya Ramani in a case filed by ex-Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him. [caption id=“attachment_5384931” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Journalist Priya Ramani Twitter/@priyaramani[/caption] Ramani, who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on 17 October 2018, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct, a charge denied by him. The court listed the matter for hearing on 4 May and also granted permanent exemption to Ramani from personal appearance.