Delhi High Court to Revisit Akbar's Defamation Appeal

The Delhi High Court has scheduled on September 19 to hear former Union minister M J Akbar's appeal against the acquittal of journalist Priya Ramani. Akbar had filed a criminal defamation case after Ramani accused him of sexual harassment, which the trial court dismissed, stating her accusations were not proven.

The Delhi High Court is set to hear former Union minister M J Akbar's appeal against the acquittal of journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case on September 19. The decision comes after Ramani's counsel requested a postponement due to the absence of a senior lawyer involved in the case.

Akbar's appeal is in response to a trial court's February 2021 order that acquitted Ramani. Akbar contends the trial court made errors by treating his defamation suit as a sexual harassment complaint and not properly evaluating the evidence provided by Ramani.

The trial court acquitted Ramani on the grounds of insufficient evidence against her allegations made during the #MeToo movement. Akbar's defamation suit argues that these accusations unfairly damaged his reputation, despite the court's view that these claims were unsubstantiated by corroborative evidence.

(With inputs from agencies.)