Editor’s Guild calls MJ Akbar ‘dormant’ member, says will act later

The Editors Guild of India on Friday, November 2, said was tracking with "great concern", fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against former editor MJ Akbar and a decision on his membership of the top editors' body will be taken after "due process" is completed.

In a statement, the Guild said it is discussing its future course of action on his membership. He is a past president and continues to be a member. However, they called his membership ‘dormant’.

The statement came after a US-based editor of a leading media house accused the former Union minister of raping her in India 23 years ago.

"In accordance with the decision of the Guild's last EGM (extraordinary general meeting), as ratified at the subsequent meeting of the executive, membership of those editors, whose profession has changed from journalism goes dormant. Mr Akbar's membership is also therefore dormant," the statement said.

The Guild executive is discussing further course of action. As provided by the Guild's Constitution, the executive committee is writing to him to respond to these allegations. His response will then be put up to the executive. A decision on his membership will be taken once this due process is completed.