Priya Ramani's tweets are 'defamatory': MJ Akbar tells Delhi court

Former Union minister MJ Akbar, who filed a defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct two decades ago, will record his statement in the Patiala House Court on Wednesday.

On October 19, senior advocate Geeta Luthra, representing the former minister of state for external affairs, referred to the alleged controversial tweets of Ramani before additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal. Akbar resigned as Union minister on October 18. Luthra had said that the allegations made by Ramani had caused “irreparable loss” to Akbar’s reputation built over 40 years and requested the court to take cognisance of Akbar’s defamation case.

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Ramani had accused the editor-turned-politician of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo campaign took India by storm. After Ramani named him, more women posted stories against Akbar. Around 19 women journalists had come out in her support on Tuesday evening, saying she was not alone and that they would testify in court against Akbar.

“Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levelled against me...” Akbar said in a statement on resigning as Union minister on Wednesday.

Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, representing Akbar, refers to tweets of Priya Ramani before Delhi court. Akbar has resigned due to these allegations and they show the damage caused to his reputation, says his lawyer. Ramani’s allegations caused irreparable loss to Akbar’s reputation built over 40 years, says Geeta Luthra. Luthra refers to Akbar’s reputation as a journalist and asks the court to take cognisance of his complaint. Delhi court takes cognisance of Akbar’s defamation case and fixes it for recording his statement on October 31

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Reacting to Akbar’s resignation, Ramani had said, “As women, we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation. I look forward to the day when I also get justice in court.”