Former minister MJ Akbar refutes rape allegations by US-based journalist, says 'relationship was consensual'

The former Union Minister MJ Akbar has strongly denied the charges of making unsolicited sexual advances towards a former Asian Age journalist.

Even Akbar's wife spoke to ANI and said she don't know why the Asian Age journalist is telling this lie. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: In a major development to the MeToo accusation, the former Union Minister MJ Akbar has strongly denied the charges of making unsolicited sexual advances towards a former Asian Age journalist. Speaking to new agency ANI, Akbar said, “On Oct 29, the Washington Post forwarded to my lawyers a series of cryptic and non-specific questions, regarding incidents alleged to have taken place approximately 23 years ago. These allegations were false and were consequently denied.” Further refuting to the charges against him, the former Minister of State for External Affairs said, “On 2 Nov, 2018, the Washington Post ran a piece written by the former Asian Age journalist, detailing false allegations of rape and violence against me. I have had occasion to read this article and it has become necessary, at this point in time, to bring certain facts to light.” “Somewhere around 1994, she & I entered into consensual relationship that spanned several months. This relationship gave rise to talk & would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on best note,” Akbar revealed in his statement to the news agency. “People who worked with me knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to bear testimony to what is stated above and at no stage, her behavior, give any one of them impression that she was working under duress,” Akbar said. Even Akbar's wife spoke to ANI and said she doesn't know why the US-based journalist is telling this lie. "I have been silent all this while as a ‘me too’ campaign has been unleashed against my husband, Mr MJ Akbar. However, the Washington Post article by the former journalist alleging that she was raped by him forces me to step in with what I know to be true," Akbar's wife Mallika said. “Over 20 yrs ago, the former journalist has caused unhappiness & discord in our home. I learned of her & my husband’s involvement through her calls & her public display of affection in my presence. In her flaunting the relationship, she caused anguish & hurt to my entire family,” Akbar’s wife said further. “At an Asian Age party at our home, crowded with young journalists, I have watched with mortification and pain as they danced close. I had confronted my husband at the time and he decided to prioritize his family,” Mallika added further.