The Delhi High Court has brought forward the hearing date in a high-profile appeal filed by former Union Minister M J Akbar, challenging the acquittal of journalist Priya Ramani in a criminal defamation case. The court has now scheduled the matter for March 16, advancing it from the previously listed date of May 7.
Court Proceedings and Legal Arguments
During a brief hearing before Justice Ravinder Dudeja, senior counsel Rajiv Nayar, representing Akbar, successfully argued for an expedited hearing. The court agreed to prepone the appeal after considering an application filed by Akbar seeking an early date.
On the other side, Priya Ramani's legal team, comprising senior advocate Rebecca John and advocate Anushka Baruah, opposed the urgency. They informed the court that there was "no real pressing urgency" to hear the appeal ahead of its scheduled slot.
Background of the Landmark #MeToo Case
The legal battle originates from 2018 when M J Akbar, a former BJP minister and veteran journalist, filed a criminal defamation complaint against Priya Ramani. This action came after Ramani publicly accused him of sexual harassment during the surge of the #MeToo movement in India.
Akbar's case contended that Ramani had tarnished his reputation through a series of tweets and an article published in digital and print media, where she detailed allegations of sexual misconduct.
Trial Court's Historic Acquittal in 2021
In a verdict that resonated across the nation, a trial court in Delhi acquitted Priya Ramani on February 17, 2021. The judgment was notable for its strong observations on workplace harassment and the rights of women.
The trial court judge explicitly noted that "even a man of social status can be a sexual harasser." The court also emphasized the "right of reputation can't be protected at the cost of the right to dignity" and highlighted the "systematic abuse at the workplace" that often goes unchecked due to inadequate redressal mechanisms.
The Ongoing Appeal in High Court
Challenging this acquittal, M J Akbar moved the Delhi High Court in 2021. The appeal was formally admitted for hearing in 2022. In a procedural development, the High Court transferred the case in September of a subsequent year to a designated court that hears criminal matters involving sitting and former Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.
The upcoming hearing on March 16 will see the High Court delve into the legal merits of Akbar's appeal, revisiting a case that became a defining moment for the #MeToo movement in the Indian context.
