Ramani’s claims were defamatory, Akbar tells court
Ex-minister denies all charges made against him as ‘false, wild and baseless’
NEW DELHI: Former minister MJ Akbar on Wednesday told a Delhi court that journalist Priya Ramani’s allegations levelled against him were defamatory in nature.
Akbar told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal that the allegations were false and defamatory and in the process his reputation has been tarnished.
The court recorded Akbar’s statement as a complainant witness in a Criminal DEFAMATION suit iled By HIM against Ramani.
RAMANI was THE irst In A long list of female journalists to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment.
A Rajya Sabha member, Akbar has denied all the charges made against him as “false, wild and baseless.”
Akbar said that it was apparent that a false narrative against him was being circulated in a motivated manner and with an agenda.
Akbar resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs and said he would ight THE LEGAL Battle In HIS personal capacity.
Akbar said he had worked for over four decades to build a stellar reputation which had suffered immediate damage “because of the scurrilous nature of the false and concocted allegations.”
He said his reputation has been tarnished in the eyes of the state, the government, right thinking members of the public, my friends, colleagues, my peers and my professional and political fraternity, and those who are near and dear ones.
“I can name the several persons who have worked with me, including Joyeeta Basu, Veenu Sandal, Sayyed among others in whose eyes my reputation has been lowered,” he said.
“I was attacked in my personal capacity about the alleged and fabricated non events. I chose to seek justice in my personal capacity without the appurtenance of OFICE WHICH Is why I offered my resignation as a minister,” he told the court.
Akbar had stepped down as the minister of state for external affairs after Ramani and a number of other women accused him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour at various stages of his journalistic career.
Dismissing the allegations, the editor-turned-politician had said that these were “malicious, fabricated and salacious” intended to harm his reputation.
Ramani has said she is “ready to ight Allegations of DEFAMATION LAID against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence.”