Priya Ramani’s Allegations Defamatory, Mala Fide: Akbar

New Delhi: In a heated exchange between lawyers of both parties, former Union Minister M.J. Akbar recorded his statement in a Delhi court on Saturday saying that the allegations levelled by journalist Priya Ramani against him were defamatory and mala fide. The court was hearing the defamation case against Ramani filed by the former Minister of State for External Affairs, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ramani was the first in a long list of female journalists to accuse Akbar, a journalist-turned-politician, of sexual harassment. On Saturday, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal began examining Akbar’s statement in the case. During Akbar’s examination by his counsel Geeta Luthra, the politician said that allegations levelled by Ramani were highly offensive, mala fide, false and fabricated. “Ramani’s tweet had adversely affected my reputation,” Akbar told the court. Meanwhile, the two-hour-long hearing witnessed several interruptions as Luthra raised objections on various questions asked by Ramani’s counsel Rebecca John while cross-examining Akbar. However, the court allowed John to proceed, saying it was a criminal defamation case and “she has the liberty to defend herself”. (IANS)

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