MJ Akbar vs Priya Ramani verdict deferred till February 17, a relook at the case

A Delhi court on Wednesday deferred its verdict in a criminal defamation case brought by former Union minister and journalist MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani till February 17.

The matter was adjourned on Wednesday after the court said it had received written submissions by the two parties. The judgment on Akbar's criminal defamation case against Priya Ramani was then deferred to February 17.

The trial began at the Rouse Avenue Court about two years ago in the middle of MeToo campaign that highlighted sexual harassment at workplace.

Priya Ramani alleged that she was sexually harassed by Akbar, who denied the charge. Akbar filed a deflation case and subsequently resigned as Union minister.

In his defamation suit, Akbar claimed that Priya Ramani caused damage to his "stellar reputation" in an article written in 2017 and a tweet posted in 2018. Ramani countered Akbar saying that she told what actually happened. "Truth is my defence," Priya Ramani said.

Ramani's charge came in the backdrop of a global MeToo campaign that began with a series of allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein in the US in 2017. Ramani wrote an article in 2017 titled, "To the Harvey Weinsteins of the World".

She said, "Everyone said you had transformed Indian journalism and I wanted to be on your team. So, we set a time you could interview me at the plush south Mumbai hotel where you always stayed."

"It was more date, less interview. You offered me a drink from the mini bar (I refused, you drank vodka), we sat on a small table for two that overlooked the Queen's Necklace (how romantic!) and you sang me old Hindi songs after inquiring after my musical preferences. You thought you were irresistible."

"The bed, a scary interview accompaniment, was already turned down for the night. Come sit here, you said at one point, gesturing to a tiny space near you. I'm fine, I replied with a strained smile. I escaped that night, you hired me, I worked for you for many months even though I swore I would never be in a room alone with you again."

In her article, Ramani did not name Akbar. A year later, when MeToo campaign picked up in India, Ramani revealed on Twitter that she spoke about Akbar, who was the editor of a national daily at the time of the alleged incident.