Days after journalist Priya Ramani accused Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar of sexual harassment under the #MeToo campaign, a defamation suit has been filed against the accuser in the Patiala House Court. As per reports, the case has been filed after Akbar allegedly sent an email to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meetings were held in the national capital to discuss the future course of action.
Akbar, after returning from his Africa tour on Sunday, made it very clear that he will not bow down to any allegations of sexual harassment. He had even stated that he is open to take legal action against the accusers, who allegedly tried to defame him by pressing charges against him.
Being mobbed at the IGI airport by media on Sunday, Akbar refrained to make any comment on his resignation. However, later he issued his statement stating, “The allegations of misconduct made against me are false and fabricated, spiced up by innuendo and malice. I could not reply earlier as I was on an official tour abroad.”
The statement further added, “Accusation without evidence has become a viral fever among some sections. Whatever be the case, now that I have returned, my lawyers will look into these wild and baseless allegations in order to decide our future course of legal action.”
Alleging that all the accusations against him are baseless, the Union minister said, “Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill. Lies do not have legs, but they do contain poison, which can be whipped into a frenzy. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action.”
Akbar had been a former renowned journalist and editor of major dailies. As per the reports, over 10 journalists have accused him of sexual harassment case.
ALSO READ: #MeToo: MJ Akbar dismisses sexual harassment charges, threatens legal action