Court to hear M J Akbar's criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani today; MoS resigns over #MeToo

M J Akbar's criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani, who has accused him of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, is scheduled to come up for hearing today in the Patiala House court.

Court will hear M J Akbar's criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani.

New Delhi: The #MeToo campaign claimed its first political scalp on Wednesday. M J Akbar who was alleged of sexual harassment and molestation by several women has resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs yesterday. This came ten days after as many as 20 women levelled accusations of sexual misconduct by Akbar during his days as editor in the media. M J Akbar's criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani, who has accused him of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, is scheduled to come up for hearing today in the Patiala House court. His lawyer Sandeep Kapur said the legal battle would commence from Thursday and the veteran journalist-turned politician would press for the prosecution of scribe Priya Ramani against whom he filed the defamation complaint when he was the minister. Kapur of law firm Karanjawala and Co said the private criminal defamation case would come up for hearing before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Samar Vishal. There has been mounting pressure on Akbar by political opponents, alleged victims and #MeToo activists to resign. He said since he decided to move the court to "seek justice" in "personal capacity", he decided to step down to challenge "false accusations" also in "personal capacity". ACMM Vishal's court is the special designated court of the national capital to hear cases pertaining to politicians and has been hearing various high-profile matters including the National Herald, Sunanda Pushkar's death, matters against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, cross-defamation cases involving Union minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam. The lawyer also forwarded the brief resignation letter of Akbar, who had been associated with several media houses in the past. "Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levied against me, also in a personal capacity. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of Minister of State for External Affairs. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and to the External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country," Akbar said in his letter.