The Delhi High Court on Monday scheduled former Union minister M J Akbar’s appeal challenging journalist Priya Ramani’s acquittal in a criminal defamation case for final hearing on September 24. The case stems from allegations of sexual misconduct made by Ramani during the #MeToo movement in 2018.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the trial court records had been received and that both parties had already filed their written submissions. “Trial court record has been received. Written submissions have been filed by both the parties. List for final hearing on the next date,” the judge said while listing the matter for hearing.
Akbar has approached the High Court against the February 17, 2021 judgment of the trial court that dismissed his criminal defamation complaint and acquitted Ramani. The trial court had held that a woman has the right to voice her grievances on any platform of her choice, even if the allegations relate to incidents that occurred decades earlier.
The High Court had earlier agreed to examine Akbar’s appeal and admitted it on January 13, 2022. Notice was issued to Ramani in August 2021 in connection with the appeal.
In his plea before the High Court, Akbar has argued that the trial court’s decision was based on “surmises and conjecture.” He has contended that the trial court failed to properly appreciate the arguments and evidence presented during the proceedings.
Akbar has further claimed that the trial court “gravely erred” in observing that he did not have a stellar reputation and alleged that the court ignored established principles of criminal jurisprudence while deciding the case.
The original complaint was filed by Akbar on October 15, 2018, accusing Ramani of defaming him by making allegations of sexual misconduct dating back several decades. Ramani had made the allegations publicly during the #MeToo movement that swept across India in 2018.
Following the allegations, Akbar resigned as Union minister on October 17, 2018.
While acquitting Ramani in 2021, the trial court held that the charges against her were not proved. The court also observed that it was shameful that crimes against women continued to occur in a country where epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana emphasised respect for women.
