‘MJ Akbar should’ve divulged there were allegations of sexual harassment against him by other women too’

Senior Advocate Rebecca John on Friday concluded her submissions on behalf of Priya Ramani in the defamation case filed by MJ Akbar by telling a Delhi court that Akbar did not come to court "with clean hands" and was "playing a fraud on the court".

Stating that at the time of the filing of the complaint in October 2018, as many as 15 women had spoken up against Akbar, John contended, "You are trying to gain an unfair advantage over the other side. The failure of Mr Akbar in mentioning the allegations by other women, and pretending that only Ramani's statement defamed him...Mr Akbar has not come to court with clean hands and has played a fraud on the court."

John added that by singling out Priya Ramani, Akbar concealed material particulars from the court, as per a report carried by Bar & Bench.

"When a person tries to establish defamation on the basis of sexual harassment allegations, was it not incumbent on him to make a fair disclosure about the fact that as many as 15 other women had levelled similar allegations?" she questioned.

John was arguing before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey at Rouse Avenue Court Complex. The court was hearing final arguments afresh after the transfer of Judge Vishal Pahuja.

Contending that Ramani's articles and tweets were not malafide and in fact, served the larger public interest, John submitted, "Truth is painful... but you seek to serve the larger purpose. It has not been easy to say all this, it has taken a toll on her. But sometimes, it is cowardly if one does not speak the truth."

John further pointed out that she was contesting Akbar's claim of stellar reputation in view of the sexual harassment accusations made by 15 other women and his allegedly consensual relationship with a junior colleague.

"There was no pre-planned conspiracy on part of Ramani or any other woman. Most of these women did not know each other...The women who made allegations are professionals of high standing and reputation. There is nothing to suggest falsehood or ulterior motive," John said.

I plead that Priya Ramani be acquitted, John ultimately concluded.

The matter would be heard next on December 22 when counsel for MJ Akbar would make rejoinder submissions.