The Defamation case: M.J. Akbar and Priya Ramani

WHAT'S THE CASE?

• Priya Ramani had levelled allegations against M.J. Akbar in 2018 following which he resigned as the Minister of State for External Affairs.

• His name came out on social media as a result of #Metoo movement.

• Following the allegations levelled upon him, Mr Akbar filed a defamation case on Priya Ramani. Soon after allegations by Ramani 20 other women came in support of her statement as well as the movement thus levelling serious charges on Akbar.

WHO IS M.J. AKBAR AND WHO IS PRIYA RAMANI?

• M.J.Akbar is a journalist and a politician who was appointed as the Minister of State for External Affairs by PM Narendra Modi in 2016. He is also a Member of Parliament in the Rajyasabha.

• He started his career in the Congress and later joined BJP and became the national spokesperson during 2014.

• Priya Ramani is a journalist having worked with many publications for over 25 years.

• She was the first women to accuse Akbar in the #Metoo movement through a series of tweets.

ARGUMENTS AND ALLEGATIONS OF THE PARTIES

• Post allegations by Ramani, Akbar filed a defamation case on Ramani for allegedly defaming him through articles written in a magazine. Akbar alleged that the article had harmed his reputation and ruined his career as a minister.

• However, Ramani claims that the article did not make an attempt to defame Akbar and that the article entirely did not speak about him. During the proceedings, she narrated the series of events that led to sexual misconduct by Akbar.

• Ramani is represented by Advocate Rebecca John and Akbar is represented by Geeta Luthra.

• However, in 2019, Ramani was granted bail on a personal bond of  Rs 10,000 and now the case has resumed once again.

• Following this, recently the judge deciding this case was transferred and a new judge has been appointed to this case.

• Adv. Rebecca John claimed the defence of Truth, Good Faith, and Public Importance provided for under the exceptions to S.499 during her arguments.

• The newly appointed judge said that the dispute is compoundable in nature and called for the settlement of the dispute by the lawyers from both the sides.

• The arguments from Geeta Luthra were that the article in Vogue magazine was defamatory and Ramani had not taken caution of the facts before accusing Akbar. She also mentioned that as a journalist Ramani had a greater responsibility which she didn't conform to.