Kareena Eugene
On Wednesday, 5th May 2021, the Delhi High Court said that it will call for the Trial Court records related to the defamation case filed by the Former Union Minister M. J. Akbar against a Journalist Priya Ramani who accused him of sexual harassment.
The Trial Court had acquitted Ramani by dismissing Akbar’s complaint on defamation. Justice Mukta said she will call for the Trial Court records and listed Akbar’s appeal for hearing on 11th August.
Akbar’s lawyer called the Trial Court Judgement as “perverse”.
Akbar has challenged Trial Court’s order on the 17th of February which acquitted Ramani in the case, on the ground that a woman has the right to put grievances before any platform of her choice even after decades and said there were no charges against Ramani that proved her wrong.
The Trial Court had stated that it was of the view that the case of Akbar regarding defamation punishable under Section 500 of the IPC against Ramani has not been proved and she is acquitted for the same.
The Trial Court also commented that shameful activities against women are taking place in a Country where epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata were written about respecting them.
It also stated that, the glass ceiling will not prevent women of India as a roadblock in advancement in a society of equal opportunities.
Ramani had, in the wake of #MeToo Movement in 2018, made allegations against Akbar committing Sexual misconduct. On October 15th 2018, Akbar had filed a complaint against Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct from decades ago. On 17th October, he resigned as a Union Minister.
