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#MeToo: MJ Akbar to record statement in defamation case on Oct 31

NEW DELHI: A day after MJ Akbar resigned as junior minister for external affairs over charges of sexual misconduct levelled by over 20 journalists, a Delhi court today agreed to hear the criminal defamation case he filed this Monday against his first accuser Priya Ramani.

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Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 18

A day after MJ Akbar resigned as junior minister for external affairs over charges of sexual misconduct levelled by over 20 journalists, a Delhi court today agreed to hear the criminal defamation case he filed this Monday against his first accuser Priya Ramani.

The Patiala House Court will record Akbar’s statement on October 31 and then decide whether a case of defamation is made out and a notice be issued to Ramani to face trial.

The court hearing proceeded as scheduled despite the Editors Guild of India today appealing to Akbar to withdraw the case and backing women journalists who have pledged to fight on.

The guild saluted the courage of the women who have spoken out and said it would appeal to top lawyers to represent them pro bono should the case continue.

At a 20-minute hearing before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, senior lawyer Geeta Luthra represented Akbar who was absent, and sought cognisance of the case, which the court took.

Akbar has contended that Ramani’s “controversial tweets” and “identical social media post” accusing him of sexual harassment had damaged his reputation of 40 years besides leading to his resignation from the council of ministers.

“Whilst it is apparent that the accused has resorted to a series of maliciously serious allegations which she is diabolically and viciously spreading in media, it is also apparent that false narrative against the complainant (Akbar) is being circulated in a motivated manner for the fulfilment of an agenda,” said MJ Akbar’s suit.

Luthra argued that Ramani, who levelled allegations over a 20-year-old event, “intentionally put forward malicious, fabricated and salacious imputations to harm the reputation of the complainant”.

The former minister has filed a criminal defamation suit against Ramani under Sections 499 and 500 IPC. If proved guilty, she could face two years in jail or fine or both. But support for Ramani poured on social media today with several journalists agreeing to rally behind her whenever she is asked to be present in court to face trial.

Maneka moots party panels

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has requested presidents and in charges of recognised national and state political parties to constitute internal complaints committees (ICCs), as mandated under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act-2013

NCW email for #Metoo plaints

The National Commission for Women has come out with a dedicated e-mail address to report cases of sexual harassment at workplace. It has asked women to send written #MeToo complaints to ncw.metoo@gmail.com

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