e.

Facts of the case

Priya Ramani reported that she was sexually harassed by Akbar, Ramani
worked at the Asian Age from January to October in 1994 and had accused Akbar
of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago when he was a journalist. Following
Ramani's revelation, several women came forward with #MeToo stories about how
MJ Akbar would make them meet him in hotel rooms and make them feel
uncomfortable with his "predatory" behaviour. At least 11 allegations have
emerged against journalist-turned-politician MJ Akbar.
Case-1:Akbar was first accused by journalist Priya Ramani, who had written about
him in an article she wrote for Vogue a year ago without mentioning his name. As
the #MeToo movement began to gain momentum, Priya now made it clear that the
article was about Akbar's misconduct. Priya recounts how Akbar interviewed her
in a hotel, offered her a drink (which she refused), asked her to sit next to him on
the bed and even sang her romantic Hindi songs.
Case-2: UK-based journalist Ruth David recounted how Akbar started calling her
into his office which was a room with a big wooden door which ensured no one
could hear or see what was going on inside. She further recalled how he stood
behind and offered massages and would try to kiss her.
Case3: A US-based journalist has come forward to accuse Akbar of sexual
harassment. CNN scribe Majlie de Puy Kamp has revealed that she was sexually
harassed by Akbar in 2007 when she was an 18-year-old intern.
CAse: 4 Journalist Saba Naqvi was another survivor who spoke up. "Akbar often
called me to his office, he also landed at my apartment once," Saba shared.
Case :5 Journalist and Author Ghazala Wahab, accused MJ Akbar of molesting
and groping her inside his cabin at the offices of The Asian Age, of which he was
the editor.
Case: 6 Journalist Sutapa Paul shares her horrific experience and said, "Akbar gave
me a tight hug, said colleagues often grew close."
Case7 : Journalist and author Shuma Raha said that she was called for an interview
with Akbar for a job at a newspaper publication, to a hotel in Kolkata in 1995.
Case 8: Journalist Kanika Gahlaut, who worked with Akbar between 1995 and
1997, says she was forewarned of his "glad eye" and that he "did it to everyone".
CAse 9: Suparna Sharma, who is currently the Resident Editor of The Asian Age,
Delhi, said "Akbar plucked my bra strap and said something that I don't remember
now."
Case 10: In another shocking incident, Journalist Prerna Singh Bindra recalled a
similar invite from Akbar to a hotel. "He was this brilliant, flamboyant editor who
dabbled in politics, who called me to his hotel room to 'discuss work'.... made life
at work hell when I refused, could not speak up due to various compulsions, but
yes #MeTooIndia," she tweeted without taking his name.
CAse 11: Another Journalist Kadambari Wade said that Akbar used to stare at her
chest whenever he addressed her.

Akbar was in Africa on an official tour when the #MeToo allegations against him
blew up on the Indian social media. His immediate boss -- Sushma Swaraj --
refused to comment on the matter. Akbar returned to India on Sunday, October 14,
and told the court that allegations made in an article in the 'Vogue' and the
subsequent tweets were defamatory on the face of it as the complainant had
deposed them to be false and imaginary and that an "immediate damage" was
caused to him due to the "false" allegations by Ramani. However, just a day after
MJ Akbar filed a case of criminal defamation against Priya Ramani. Tushita Patel,
in a blog post, accused MJ Akbar of sexually harassing her, meeting her in a hotel
room in his underwear and forcibly kissing her on two different occasions. Patel's
accusations date back to the early 90s. The first episode is from when Akbar had
left journalism for a brief stint in politics. The second episode is from a year later
when Akbar was the editor of a newspaper where Tushita Patel worked.
Senior journalist Sucheta Dalal was among the first ones to moot the idea of
crowd-funding Ramani's defence. Dalal said that she was sure lawyers would be
willing to fight for Ramami free of cost, but "there are lots of expenses involved!"
Dalal later tweeted that some senior journalists were taking the idea of crowd-
funding Ramani's legal costs forward. "Hopefully through the Press Club or similar
body!" Dalal said.
f.Evolution of the case over 2 years

●
● January 1994: Priya Ramani joins The Asian Age, following the allegedly

problematic interview with MJ Akbar.

● October 1994: Priya Ramani quits her job at The Asian Age.

● October 2017: Priya Ramani’s article titled “To the Harvey Weinsteins of

the World” published in vogue.in.

● 6 October 2018: Amid the rise of the #MeToo movement in India,

journalist Ghazala Wahab tweets “I wonder when the floodgates will open
about @mjakbar”. Author Shunali Khullar Shroff and Prerna Singh Bhindra
echo Wahab’s sentiment over the next two days.
● 8 October 2018: Priya Ramani names MJ Akbar in a tweet, stating that the

former boss mentioned in the beginning of her Vogue article from 2017 had
in fact been him.
● 15 October 2018: MJ Akbar files a criminal defamation case against Priya

Ramani.
● Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra appeared for MJ Akbar. Priya Ramani was

represented by Senior Advocate Rebecca John.

● 17 October 2018: MJ Akbar resigns as a Union Minister of State.

● November 2018 : The Court recorded statement of MJ Akbar's witnesses i.e.

Joyeeta Basu, Sunil Gujral, Veenu Sandal, Tapan Chaki, Manzar Ali and
Rachna Goel. All witnesses deposed that Akbar’s reputation has been
lowered in their eyes.
● 12 December 2018: The Editors Guild of India suspends former Union

Minister MJ Akbar and journalist Tarun Tejpal based on the allegations of

sexual misconduct against the two.
● 29 January 2019: Magistrate in Delhi’s Patiala House Court issues

summons to Priya Ramani.

● 25 February 2019: Delhi’s Patiala House Court grants bail to Priya Ramani

asking her to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs 10,000 each.

● 4 May 2019: Trial begins at the Rouse Avenue Court complex.

● September 8, 2020: Submissions continued on behalf of Priya Ramani.

Senior Counsel for Priya Ramani argued that MJ Akbar did not have a stellar
reputation and the allegations stood validated by the combined experience of
multiple women who levelled similar accusations.
● 18 November 2020: Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vishal

Pahuja, who had been hearing the criminal defamation case, gets transferred
out of the Rouse Avenue Court. ACMM Ravindra Kumar Pandey replaces
him as the judge of the case and the final arguments in the Akbar-Ramani
are required to be made afresh.
● December 10, 2020: Senior Counsel for Priya Ramani argued that MJ Akbar

was shying away from the incident of the hotel room as narrated by Priya
Ramani in her Vogue article and testimony.
● 1 February 2021: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court reserves judgment in the

case.
● 17 February 2021: The court is slated to pronounce its order, following

adjournment on 10 Feb owing to delay in receiving written submissions.

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