In a landmark judgement, the Delhi court acquitted journalist Priya Ramani in the criminal defamation case filed against her by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment.
The court observed “woman has the right to put her grievance even after decades”. The court also added “that a man of social status can also be a sexual harasser”
Here’s a timeline of how the events unfolded
In 2017, more than 70 women came together alleging sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, which took off as a global #MeToo movement.
October 12, 2017
Priya Ramani published an open letter in Vogue magazine titled, ‘To the Harvey Weinsteins’ of the World
The letter addressed to ‘male boss’ talked about an incident in 1994 in a hotel room, when he behaved inappropriately with her.
The letter addressed to ‘male boss’ talked about an incident in 1994 in a hotel room, when he behaved inappropriately with her.
October 9, 2018
Ramani named MJ Akbar in a tweet, stating that the article she had written in 2017 was referring Akbar
Several other women accused him of alleged inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment.October 15, 2018
Akbar, who was then a central minister, files criminal defamation against Priya Ramani in Delhi’s Patiala House courtOctober 17, 2018
Akbar steps down as a Union Minister of State (MoS)
Ramani named MJ Akbar in a tweet, stating that the article she had written in 2017 was referring Akbar
Several other women accused him of alleged inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment.October 15, 2018
Akbar, who was then a central minister, files criminal defamation against Priya Ramani in Delhi’s Patiala House courtOctober 17, 2018
Akbar steps down as a Union Minister of State (MoS)
December, 2018
The Editors Guild Of India suspends Akbar
January 2019
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal asks Ramani to appear before the court
February 25, 2019
Delhi’s Patiala house court granted her bail against a personal bond and surety of Rs 10,000 each. Ramani had declared that “Truth is my only defence”.
Delhi’s Patiala house court granted her bail against a personal bond and surety of Rs 10,000 each. Ramani had declared that “Truth is my only defence”.
May 4, 2019
The trial began at Rouse Avenue Court complex
September 2020
Ramani says that she deserved to be acquitted because she shared her experience in ” good faith”
Ramani says that she deserved to be acquitted because she shared her experience in ” good faith”
November 18, 2020
The judge hearing the matter was transferred by the Delhi High court
The judge hearing the matter was transferred by the Delhi High court
February 1
The court reserved its order for February 10
The court reserved its order for February 10
February 10
On February 10, the court deferred the judgment for Feb 17
On February 10, the court deferred the judgment for Feb 17
