New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday framed defamation charge against journalist Priya Ramani in a case filed by ex-Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Ramani, who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on October 17 last year, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India.
Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct, a charge denied by him.
The court listed the matter for hearing on May 4 and also granted permanent exemption to Ramani from personal appearance.
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Great pity. All the women who have been violated by M J Akbar over three decades should come down on him like a ton of bricks. File FIRs, detailing his inappropriate behaviour and pursue those cases relentlessly. Many fine lawyers would work pro bono for them.