Delhi Court Acquits Journalist Priya Ramani In Criminal Defamation Case Filed by MJ Akbar

Krishnendra Joshi Feb 17, 2021

Delhi Court does not find Priya Ramani guilty of defamation charges levelled against her by MJ Akbar

Journalist Priya Ramani has been acquitted by a Delhi Court on Wednesday. The complainant Mr MJ Akbar had accused Ms Ramani of Defamation. It all began when Ms Ramani had referred to her former boss as a sexual predator in an article published in vogue magazine back in 2017. Although the article did not mention the name of the complainant, the matter escalated when Ms Ramani tweeted MJ Akbar's name and accused him of sexual harassment in 2018 when the "me too" movement was at its peak.

Publication of article and tweet made to protect the interest of women at workplaces

In his complaint, MJ Akbar had mentioned that the tweet by Ms Ramani led to an aggravated form of defamation as it made way for publication of a number of articles against him in national and international media. He had alleged that the tweets and subsequent press coverage had tarnished his public reputation and adversely affected his standing in front of family and friends.

Accused Priya Ramani took the defence that publication of article and tweet was made for public good regarding the true incident of her sexual harassment. She intended to protect other women's interest and highlight the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace for women. The testimony of the witness corroborated with her submission against the complainant.

Right of reputation cannot be protected at the cost of woman's dignity

Before acquitting Ms Ramani, the court drew references from ancient texts and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata to emphasis that respect and dignity of women has been a common theme in the Indian culture since ages.

"Even a man of (high) social status (standing) can be a sexual harasser. Right of reputation (referring to MJ Akbar's claim that Ms Ramani's allegations had tarnished his image) cannot be protected at the cost of the right to dignity" - the judge said.