Defamation Case: Delhi HC Transfers MJ Akbar’s Appeal Against Priya Ramani’s Acquittal To Special MP/MLA Court

The Delhi High Court on Friday transferred an appeal filed by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar against the acquittal of journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case.

The appeal will now be heard by a designated court that deals with criminal matters relating to sitting and former Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies.

Case Background

The defamation case dates back to 2018, when Akbar filed a complaint against Priya Ramani after she accused him of sexual harassment. Ramani made the allegations during India’s #MeToo movement, citing incidents of alleged misconduct during her interactions with Akbar in the past.

Akbar claimed that her statements, published through tweets and articles, tarnished his reputation and sought legal redress through a criminal defamation case.

Trial Court’s Acquittal Of Priya Ramani

On February 17, 2021, a trial court acquitted Ramani of the charges. In a landmark ruling, the court observed that there was widespread “systematic abuse at the workplace” in the absence of effective redressal mechanisms for sexual harassment.

The judgment emphasised that even a person of high social standing could be a sexual harasser and underscored that the “right of reputation cannot be protected at the cost of the right to dignity.”

This acquittal was hailed as a significant moment in the legal and social acknowledgment of women’s voices during the #MeToo movement.

Appeal In High Court

Following the acquittal, Akbar filed an appeal in 2021, which the Delhi High Court admitted in 2022. On Friday, the appeal came up before Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, who noted that since Akbar is a former MP, the matter should be heard by the special bench designated for criminal cases involving current and former lawmakers.

The appeal has now been transferred to Justice Ravinder Dudeja, who handles such matters. The case is scheduled for consideration on October 15.

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