Journalist Priya Ramani told the court that her disclosure about alleged sexual misconduct by MJ Akbar around 20 years ago was made in good faith and for public good. He was a journalist back then.
The former Union Minster, MJ Akbar had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Priya Ramani."I have pleaded truth as my defense, that my disclosure was made in good faith, for public good. The reason I have done so because it touched a question of public importance. The court will have to come to a conclusion that although an imputation was made, no case for defamation is made out. At the very first instance, I specifically pleaded truth as my defense," John said on behalf of Priya Ramani. She added that the allegations against MJ Akbar that was made in the wake of #Metoo movement in 2018 were her truth.
MJ Akbar said that he was being allegedly defamed by accusing him of sexual misconduct. Hence he filed the complaint against Ramani for this.
She made the submission before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate(ACMM) Ravindra Kumar Pandey through Senior Advocate Rebecca John.
Malavika M S is an intern with SheThePeople.TV