This occurs on the day the court was expected to hear a rebuttal from Akbar’s attorney to the closing arguments presented by Priya Ramani’s attorney at the previous hearing.
For the past two years, a Delhi court has been hearing a criminal defamation case brought by BJP MP MJ Akbar, accused of sexual harassment by more than 20 women, against journalist Priya Ramani. Most of the hearing has taken place and closing arguments have been completed. However, on the day the court was expected to hear a rebuttal from Akbar’s attorney to the closing arguments made by Priya Ramani’s attorney, the judge announced that he was not supposed to hear the case in the first place.
Metropolitan Additional Chief Magistrate Vishal Pahuja told both parties on Tuesday that according to an order from the Supreme Court, that particular court can only hear the cases presented. against MPs or MLAs, and cannot hear cases presented by they. The criminal defamation case had been brought by the former Union minister against the journalist Priya Ramani following accusations of sexual harassment. The judge has said that the case will now move to another court.
Metropolitan Additional Chief Magistrate Vishal Pahuja told the parties: “In accordance with Supreme Court instructions, only cases brought against MPs and members of the law can be included in the Rouse Avenue court.” The court then listed the matter before the District and Sessions Judge by October 14 for the appropriate orders.
Now, the District and Sessions Judge is expected to give instructions on whether the case will have to be transferred to another court or whether it will continue to be heard by Judge Vishal Pahuja. If the case goes to another court, the new judge will have to rehear the final arguments of each party.
MJ Akbar had filed the criminal defamation case in October 2018. During the #MeToo movement, Priya Ramani had accused Akbar of sexual misconduct some 20 years ago when she was a journalist. Later, several women came up with accounts of his alleged sexual harassment while working as journalists under his command. MJ Akbar has denied all allegations.
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