M.J Akbar denies rape allegation

Former Union Minister M.J. Akbar yesterday termed allegations of rape by US-based journalist Pallavi Gogoi a “lie” and claimed they were in a “consensual relationship”.

Akbar said Gogoi’s November 2 article in the Washington Post had detailed “false allegations of rape and violence” on him.

“It has become necessary ... to bring certain facts to light. Somewhere around 1994, Pallavi Gogoi and I entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months,” he said. “People who knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to bear testimony ... at no stage did Pallavi give any of them the impression that she was working under duress,” he said.