MJ Akbar files defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani

Union Minister M J Akbar filed a private criminal defamation complaint in a court here against journalist Priya Ramani who has accused him of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago alleging she willfully and maliciously made imputations against him with the ulterior motive of maligning his reputation and political standingThe Minister of State for External Affairs filed the plea in the Patiala House district courts through law firm Karanjawala amp Co and the vakalatnama names 97 lawyers who have been authorised by Akbar to represent himThe accused Ramani has made false derogatory and malicious imputations against the complainant Akbar in order to defame him with the sole ulterior motive of maligning the reputation and political standing of the complainant in furtherance of her own vested interests and underlying agenda the BJP minister said in his complaintAkbars plea which is likely to come up for hearing during the week listed alleged defamatory imputations made by Ramani on social media 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 it allegedPriya RamaniIm ready to fight as truth is my only defenceIn a statement issued on Twitter Ramani said I am deeply disappointed that a union minister should dismiss the allegations of several women as a political conspiracy By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me Mr Akbar has made his stand clear rather than engage with the allegations that many women have made against him he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment Needless to say I am ready to fight allegations of defamation as truth and the absolute truth is my only defenseJournalists speak in support of ramaniSucheta Dalal journalistHey priyaramani and all 14 who have spoke up Lets crowd fund your defence I am sure may top lawyers will help you fight pro bono but we at MoneylifeIndia know there are lots of expenses involved So think about it Happy to support I am sure thousands of others will tooAngshukanta journalistI say bring it on PriyaRamani and us women journalists too have the best women legal eagles on our side IJaising Rebecca John VrindaGrover as well as some of the coolest criminal defamation lawyers in the country They might be 97 we are guts brainpower amp solidarityHarinder Baweja journalistI am happy and willing to donate money to priyaramani for the battle against M J Akbar No woman should feel sexually harassed or intimidated Those willing to contribute even small sums to make their MeToo voice countBarkha Dutt journalistIn total solidarity with priyaramani amp all women who have bravely chronicled their harassment amp abuse at the hands of MkJakbar Hope fight goes beyond defense in defamation to actively pursuing other options like prosecution NCW Parliament panels I stand with you MeTooI AM DISAPPOINTEDSuparna SharmaResident EditorThe Asian AgeI stand by my testimony of the two incidents mdash one in which he plucked my bra strap and the other when he stared at my breasts I also stand by the fact that he did the same with other women in the office I am disappointed with Akbars response but I am not surprised This is going to be a longish battleMajlie de Puy KampNew Yorkbased journalistI am not a citizen I cannot vote I do not have a political agenda Plus I have a paper trail My father wrote an email to Akbar about the incident to which he responded I have evidence I am disappointed but not surprised by his statement I am very comfortable with my storyShutapa PaulJournalistI am shocked and dismayed M J Akbars brazen shaming of all of us is evidence of his sense of entitlement and power Our fight is the fight for every woman a fight for justice a fight against feeling violated in the workplace and in daily lifeCongress demands Akbars resignation The Youth Congress activists staged a protest near the residence of Union Minister M J Akbar demanding his immediate resignation over allegations of sexual misconduct by several journalists The activists gathered at Teen Murti roundabout and raised slogans against the minister and tried to march towards his residence when the cops stopped them A few protesters who tried to march ahead were detainedCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever