MJ Akbar Denies Raping Former Asian Age Journalist, Says 'It Was Consensual Relationship', Wife Support Ex-Union Minister
Akbar's wife has defended her husband, and has confirmed that the journalist was in a consensual relationship.
New Delhi, November 2: MJ Akbar has replied to the allegations against him by former Asian journalist. According to reports, he said, that he was in a consensual relationship with the journalist, who accused him of rape. He was quoted as saying, "This relationship gave rise to talk & would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on the best note. People who worked with me, and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to bear testimony to what is stated above, and at no stage, did the behaviour, give any one of the impression that she was working under duress." MJ Akbar Accused of Rape by Former Asian Age Journalist, #MeToo Continue to Haunt Ex-Union Minister.
Akbar's wife has defended her husband, and has confirmed that the journalist was in a consensual relationship. MJ Akbar's wife Mallika said that she was in pain, to see the proximity between her and the girl in question. "I learned of her and my husband's involvement through her calls and her public display of affection in my presence. In her family flaunting the relationship, she caused anguish and hurt to my entire family."
Earlier in the day, a shocking case came to the front, where an Asian Age journalist claimed that she was raped by Akbar. In her Opinion piece for Washington Post, the woman journalist narrates her ordeal of harassments faced at the hands of Akbar. From initially trying to forcefully kiss her, to scratching her face, when she resisted his attempt to finally managing to rip her clothes off and rape her at a hotel in Jaipur. Last month, Akbar resigned from his post, after he was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women in the #MeToo movement. MJ Akbar Resigns as MoS For External Affairs Amid #MeToo Allegations.
MJ Akbar on Wednesday recorded his statement before the Delhi's Patiala House Court in the defamation case filed by him against journalist Priya Ramani. The bench took cognizance of his testament and fixed November 12 as the next date of hearing.
The criminal defamation suit was admitted by the Patiala House Court on October 18. However, 20 other journalists have come out in support of Ramani, and testified against Akbar in a joint statement. The scribes claim that they were sexually harassed by Akbar when he presided over the editorial team in the Asian Age.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2018 03:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).