New Delhi: Journalist Priya Ramani on Wednesday pleaded not guilty as a Delhi court framed charges against her in a defamation case filed by former-Union Minister MJ Akbar, reports NDTV. Priya was sued for defamation by the editor-turned-politician over her allegations of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement.
Priya was the first among a number of women who accused MJ Akbar of sexual misconduct during his time as a media personality, forcing him to resign as the junior foreign minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet on October 17 last year.
Priya was represented in court on Wednesday by senior lawyer Rebecca John who pointed to the absence of MJ Akbar in the court. The court will hear the case next on May 4. It also granted Priya permanent exemption from personal appearance, news agency PTI reported.