Priya Ramani vs MJ Akbar #MeToo: Delhi Court Acquits Journalist In Defamation Case Filed By Former Union Minister

Former Union Minister MJ Akbar's defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani could not be proved, a Delhi Court said on February 17. MJ Akbar had filed a defamation case against her over her allegations of sexual misconduct against him. "The Indian constitution allows women to put forward her grievances before any forum and at any time," the judge said. Ramani told the media that she feels "vindicated" on behalf of the women who spoke out against sexual harassment in the workplace. Ramani had accused the former editor of sexual misconduct amid the #MeToo movement of 2018. She had tweeted a newspaper article she wrote a year ago, where she accused a "former boss" of being a "sexual predator". Later in court, she said the incident took place around 20 years ago. Her tweet had opened the floodgates, with around 20 women stepping forward with similar allegations against the former editor. On October 15, 2018, Akbar, then a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, approached the court. He resigned two days later, on October 17, 2018. Watch the video to know more.