MJ Akbar defamation case: Cross-examination adjourned to July 6

Former Union Minister MJ Akbar further cross-examined on Monday by the senior advocate Rebecca John, the counsel of journalist Priya Ram in connection with a defamation case filed by him against Ram in a sexual harassment case.

Rebecca asked several questions regarding an alleged meeting in a hotel room, The Vogue article written by Priya Ram, tweets and allegations made by other female journalists against MJ Akbar in today's cross-examination.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Samar Vishal presided over the proceedings of the court on Monday before adjourning the matter to July 6.

Akbar during cross-examination denied meeting with Priya Ram in a hotel room.

Akbar said, "It is incorrect to suggest that I called Priya Ram to come to my room. It is wrong to suggest that she was hesitant or that I insisted. It is correct that in December 1993 I was 42 years old and Priya Ram was 23 years old. I do not know whether it was the first job interview by Priya Ram after her graduation."

Akbar then went on to add, "I am not sure whether Priya Ram was offered a job in Asian Age newspaper in January 1994 in Delhi Office. As it is a 25 years old matter and to the best of my knowledge, she was working in Bombay office."

Ram had on April 10 pleaded not guilty before the court and claimed trial after the court framed defamation charges against her on a criminal complaint of Akbar.

In one of the past hearings, the ACMM had also granted a permanent exemption to Ram from personal appearance in the hearings to follow.

In February, Ram was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000. Ram was the first woman to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo campaign.

Akbar had filed a defamation case against the journalist for accusing him of sexual misconduct.

The allegations levelled against him forced him to resign from the Union Cabinet on October 17, 2018.