"It is a victory for women and the MeToo movement. It feels great to have the truth validated before a court of law," journalist Priya Ramani said minutes after a Delhi court acquitted her in a criminal defamation case filed by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar for accusing him of sexual misconduct.In the wake of #MeToo movement in 2018, Ramani had made allegation of sexual harassment against Akbar. Pursuant to this, he filed the criminal defamation case against her and resigned as the Union Minister. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey acquitting Ramani noted that a woman has right to put her grievances even after decades of the actual incident and that right of reputation cannot be protected at the cost of right to dignity.
"There was a lot of anxiety, stress and fear as a powerful man took me to court. My reputation is much better than his and everybody believed me," she said after the pronouncement of judgement. It was reported that "a battery of 97 lawyers" was defending Akbar. Film personalities Richa Chadha, Taapsee Pannu, Chinmayi Sripada and Sona Mahapatra on Wednesday celebrated journalist Priya Ramani’s acquittal in the criminal defamation case Actor Taapsee Pannu, wrote on Twitter that the verdict came as a beacon of hope for everyone, amid growing despair in the country. Amidst all the wrongs and unfair happening around this did bring a ray of hope that somewhere something is keeping our hope in righteousness alive. Long live truth and justice!” Taapsee tweeted. Director Onir wrote it was ‘spectacular’ that the court observed that women are not time-bound to come out with their accounts of sexual harassment, an argument that has been otherwise used to discredit their stories. “This is spectacular. A milestone judgement when it comes to sexual harassment. Important that the court points out that it’s not time bound . Amazing #PriyaRamani #Rebeccajon.”
Actor Richa Chadha said it was ‘justice at last’. Singer Sona Mohapatra, who was among the women from the entertainment industry to share their stories of alleged sexual abuse, said that MJ Akbar’s reputation “stinks” and protecting it would have meant a disservice to the country. “Mr MJ Akbar’s reputation is one that stinks. So protecting it would mean harming a whole society & its dignity. This case is one for #India ‘s protection. Not just her women but also all the good people of this country. #ThankYou #PriyaRamani for standing strong. @IndiaMeToo.”Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who has accused Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, reminded his followers of her allegation while sharing an excerpt from the court’s judgement that said it’s possible for a woman to not open up about sexual abuse for years and she shouldn’t be punished for it. Actor Mini Mathur congratulated both Ramani and her lawyer, Rebecca John, while writing that the judgement is a huge step for every woman standing up to powerful men. “Priya Ramani is acquitted. The fact that she needed to defend her accusations of harassment against a powerful man not withstanding, this is a huge step forward for women speaking up against sexual harassment. Big shoutout to her lawyer Rebecca John as well #justice,” she wrote.