IN THE COURT OF THE LD.

CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE

PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURT, DELHI

C. C. No. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar ... Complainant

Versus

Priya Ramani ... Accused

INDEX

S.NO. PARTICULARS PAGES

1. Memo of Parties
A
2. Complaint under Section 200 read with
Section 190 of The Criminal Procedure Code,
'
1973, seeking prosecution of Accused Ms.
Priya Ram ani for the offence of Criminal
Defamation Under Section 499, Punishable
\-\2...
Under Section 500 of The Indian Penal Code,
1860, for making false and Defamatory
statements m the print/ electronic media
against Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar along with

! affidavit.
I
~
3. List of Witnesses
\"5
~

l 4. List of documents along with Certificate Under

\tt~ ~
j I

I Section 65-B of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 '

I

!8
~

~
i 5. Vakalatnama
1j --- -------

'
~
~~
~
~ THROUGH COUNSEL~~
COMPLAINANT

~
~

~
j ~KARANJAWALA & CO.
~
~ 7, FACTORY ROAD, NEAR SAFDARJUNG
u
~ HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI- 110029
~
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DATE: 15,I0 .. 2f>lS

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 'f/
IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE

PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURT, DELHI

C. C. No. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar ... Complainant

Versus

Priya Ramani ... Accused

MEMO OF PARTIES

Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar

R/o 9, Teen Murti lane,
New Delhi. 110011 ... Complainant
•
Versus
Ms. Priya Ramani
At- LiveMint, HT Media Ltd.,
1st Floor, 18-20 Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi 110001

Also at:
F-2, Habitat Serenity No. 27,
Viviani Road, behind Clarence High School
Richards Town, Pulakeshinagar,
Bangalore - 560005 ... Accused

COMPLAINANT

THROUGH COUNSEL~

fi,R_KARAN~&~
7, FACTORY ROAD, NEAR SAFDARJUNG
HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI- 110029

DATE: \5-lO-"kJ \B
PLACE ~tw ])e}l\.t
 - ~---

'-"'- --~----~-'"'-"-~.J"....t'-"'-'"'-'"'--..."'-"-r-...T".-_~- -........ J.

IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE

PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURT, DELHI

C. C. No. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar ... Complainant

Versus

Priya Ramani ... Accused

COMPLAINT UNDER SECTION 200 READ WITH SECTION 190 OF

THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE, 1973, SEEKING
PROSECUTION OF ACCUSED MS. PRIYA RAMANI FOR THE
OFFENCE OF CRIMINAL DEFAMATION UNDER SECTION 499,
PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 500 OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE,
1860, FOR MAKING FALSE AND DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS IN
THE PRINT I ELECTRONIC MEDIA AGAINST MR. MOBASHAR
JAWED AKBAR

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

1. That the present complaint is being filed and instituted by the

complainant, against the Accused, seeking her prosecution and

conviction, under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,

for willfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously defaming

the Complainant, on wholly and completely false, frivolous,

unjustifiable and scandalous grounds and thereby, harming the

goodwill and reputation of the Complainant, within the political

fraternity, media, friends, family, colleagues and in society at

large.

2. That the Complainant is an Indian politician, who is the Minister

of State (MoS) for External Affairs and a Member of

'~
,
j
,,i Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. He was
~
'·I

!i
~::
:-:
 2.~
inducted into the Union Council of Ministers by the Hon'ble

Prime Minister in July, 2016. The complainant is also a veteran

Indian journalist and author of several renowned books. The

Complainant is married with two children.

3. The Complainant first served as an elected Member of

Parliament between 1989 and 1991; thereafter, he was

appointed as a national spokesperson during the 2014 general

elections and in July, 2015, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha,

from Jharkhand.

4. The Complainant also had a long career in journalism, he

launched India's first weekly political news magazine, Sunday,

in 1976, and two daily newspapers i.e . 'The Telegraph' and 'The

Asian Age' in 1989 and 1994 respectively. He was also the

Editorial Director of 'India Today'. The complainant was the

Editor-in-Chief and then Editorial Director of 'The Sunday

Gaurdian', a weekly newspaper that he founded. He has

remained associated with leading media houses and periodicals

m India including 'India Today', 'Headlines Today', 'The

Telegraph', 'The Asian Age' and 'Deccan Chronicle',' among

others.

5. The Complainant has, furthermore, authored several non-fiction

books, including 'Nehru: The Making of India', 'Kashmir Behind

the Vale', 'Riot After Riot' and 'India: The Siege Within', The

Shade of Swords', 'Blood Brothers-A Family Saga', 'Have Pen',

'Will Travel: Observations of a Globetrotter', 'Tinderbox: The past

and future of Pakistan'.

 ~.
6. That the Accused is a journalist, by profession.

7. That the · present Complaint is being preferred against the

Accused, for defaming and damaging the reputation of the

complainant, in terms of Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code,

1860, by way of tweets, articles etc., published as well as

distributed and disseminated at the behest of the Accused, in

the print media as well as on online platforms such as Vogue

Magazine, twitter, Firstpost etc. The Accused has made false,

derogatory and malicious imputations against the Complainant,

such a·s, 'I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never

named him because he didn't 'do' anything. Lots of women have

worse stories about this predator -maybe they'll share', 'the

media's biggest sexual predator.', 'How many more stories do

you need to hear?', 'Am glad # MJAkbar won't be in the workplace

any more but Akbar represents countless men who believe they

can say and do whatever they want to women without any

consequences.', 'You're an expert on obscene phone calls, texts,

inappropriate compliments and not taking no for an answer', in

order to defame the Complainant, with the sole ulterior motive of

maligning the reputation and political standing of the

Complainant, in furtherance of her own vested interests and

underlying agenda.

8. That the accused herself, while putting forward the

aforementioned defamatory statements, relating to incidents

which allegedly occurred 20 years ago, simultaneously admits

that the complainant has not done anything to her. It is

pertinent to mention that the conduct of the Accused person, of

 lj.
not taking any action before any authority, qua the alleged

incident against the Complainant also clearly belies the sanctity

of the article and allegations made by the Accused person, which

evidently goes on to prove that the said defamatory articles are

only a figment of her imagination and are only intended to

malign the reputation of the Complainant. Therefore, by way of

the present Complaint, the Complainant seeks due and

appropriate punitive action against the Accused, in terms of

Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

9. The defamatory statements made by the Accused have, by her

design, been circulated through electronic and print media,

including but not limited to Vogue magazine, Twitter, Livemint,

The Washington Post, Firstpost. Some of the said defamatory

allegations, made in the article and tweets, are summarily given

below, for the kind perusal and consideration of this Hon'ble

Court:

Date· I Platform Link Defamatory Imputations

October, I Vogue https://www.v I Dear Male Boss,

ague .in I con te
2017 India nt/harvey-
weinsteins- You taught me my first
open -letter-
workplace lesson. I was 23,
sexual-
harassment/ a you were 43. I grew up
mp I? twitter
impression=tr 1 reading your smart opinions
ue and dreamt of being as
erudite as you. You were one
of my professional heroes.
Everyone said you had
transformed Indian
journalism and I wanted to be
on your team. So, we set a
 5,
Date I Platform Link Defamatory Imputations

time you could interview me

at the plush south Mumbai
hotel where you always
stayed.
It was 7pm, but that didn't
bother me. I knew you were a
busy editor. When I got to the
lob by, I called you on the
house phone. Come up, you
said. Err really? Maybe that's
how celebrity editors
interviewed newbies, I
thought. Back then I didn't
have the confidence to say:
"No, I'll wait for you in the
lobby, you pervert."
Turns out you were as
talented a predator as you
were a writer. It was more
date, less interview. You
offered me a drink from the
mini bar (I refused, you drank
vodka), we sat on a small
table for two that overlooked
the Queen's Necklace (how
romantic!) and you sang me
old Hindi songs after
inquiring after my musical
preferences. You thought you
were irresistible.
The bed, a scary interview
accompaniment, was already
turned down for the night.
Come sit here, you said at one
point, gesturing to a tiny
Date IPlatform Link Defamatory Imputations
b.
space near you. I'm fine, I
replied with a strained smile.
I escaped that night, you
hired me, I worked for you for
many months even though I
swore I would never be in a
room alone with you again.
All these years later the world
has changed but your species
1s just the same. You still
think it's your right to take
your pick of the bright
professional young women
who enter YOUR workspace.
You whip out your tired tricks
for a new batch of women
every year. "Watch me
shower." "Can I give you a
massage?" "A shoulder rub?"
"I'm ready for my blow job
now." "Are you married?"
You're an expert on obscene
phone calls, texts,
inappropriate compliments
and not taking no for an
answer. You know how to
pinch, pat, rub, grab and
assault. Speaking up against
you still carries a heavy price
that many young women
cannot afford to pay.
Sometimes you are
inconvenienced when the
stories get out and you are
asked to take a time out.
 Date I Platform Link Defamatory Imputations
l
Often, you are quickly
reinstated. Why would you
need to evolve, right?
Sure, there are many male
bosses who don't think of us
as their personal harem, but I
haven't met too many who are
ready to stand up with us and
call out your misogyny. It
doesn't matter. There are
more brave women now who
are not scared to point out
the monster in the suit.
We'll get you all one day.
Priya Ramani
08.10. Twitter https: II twitter I began this piece with my MJ
.comlpriyara Akbar story. Never named
2018
mani I status I him because he didn't "do"
10492796082 anything. Lots of women have
63245824 worse stories about this
predator-maybe they'll
share. #ul ti
https:/ /www.vogue.in/conten
tl harvey -weinsteins-open-
letter-sexual-
harassmen tl amp I #click= http
s: I It. co I A2uHiJ t9zd ...
10.10. Twitter https: II twitter I Ten of us @_~abanaqvi

.comlpriyara @prernabindra
2018
mani/ status I @ghazalawahab
10502175818 I @kadambarim @shutapapaul
08775168 @suparnasharma
@harinderbaweja
@shumaraha @153anju have
painted you a clear portrait of

\·
 S1
Date Platform Link Defamatorv Im:2utations

media's biggest sexual

Qredator. How many more
stories do you need to hear?
#MJAkbar
13.10. Twitter httQs: LLtwitter This IS a big victory for
.comLQriyara
2018 the #metoo movement
maniLstatusL
but it cannot and should not
10513612547
end here. Am
76983552
glad -#MJAkbar won't be m
the workplace any more but
Akbar represents countless
men who believe they ~an say
and do whatever they want to
women without any
consequences

10. The said defamatory allegations made by the Accused

person have been further published by various media agencies,

links to some of the articles are mentioned herein under:-

1. h ttps: LLwww. washington post. com Lnews Lglobal-

opinionsLwpL20 18L 10 L10 Lan-actor-a-journalist-a-
government-minister-who-is-next-to-fall-in-indias-metoo-
waveL?noredirect=on&utm term=.8136d14dd486

n. https: LLwww.livemint.comLPoliticsLtC6COLrrYte0JvdD53
FYCILMJ-Akbar-facing-MeToo-heat-heads-to-Equatorial-
Guinea.html

111. httQs: LLwww.firstQost.comLindiaLmetoo-mj-akbars-use-

of-Qredatory-tactics-sexual-harassment-in-newsroom-14-
women -share-their-ordeal-5359861.html

11. That, while admitting that the Complainant has never done

anything to her, the accused has intentionally put forward

 1
malicious, fabricated, and salacious imputations to harm the

reputation of the Complainant.

12. That whilst it is apparent that the Accused has resorted to a

series of maliciously fabricated allegations, which she is

diabolically and viciously spreading using media, it is also

apparent that false narrative against the Complainant is being

circulated in a motivated manner and for the fulfillment of an

agenda.

13. That the scandalous allegations leveled by the Accused against

the Complainant herein, by their very tone & tenor, are ex facie

defamatory and have not only damaged the goodwill and

reputation of the Complainant, in his social circles and on the

political stage, established after years of toil and hard work, but

have also affected the personal reputation of the Complainant in

the community, friends, family and colleagues, thereby causing

him irreparable loss and tremendous distress.

14. The Accused Person, by. way of such publications, has caused

great humiliation to the Complainant and his reputation has

been severely tarnished in the eyes of the public as well as his

family, friends, colleagues, political fraternity and associates; the

defamatory statements of the Accused Person have, thereby,

irreparably damaged the reputation and standing of the

Com plain ant.

15. That the facts and circumstances stated hereinabove

clearly reveal that the Accused has made and

published highly damaging imputations against the

 jtJ,
Complainant herein, intending to harm and knowing that

such imputation will harm, the reputation of the Complainant,

resultantly having corrnnitted the offence of 'I>efamation' as

defined under Section 499 IPC and made punishable under

Section 500 IPC.

16. It is further submitted that this Hon'ble Court has the

jurisdiction to try the present complaint as the defamatory

imputations made by the Accused Person were found widely

circulated in media, including online forums, within the

jurisdiction of P.S. Chanakyapuri. The defamatory imputations

were viewed and read by various persons, including family

members, friends and associates etc., residing within the said

jurisdiction and after reading the aforesaid defamatory material,

enquiries were made by associates, friends and relatives of the

Complainant with regards to the said defamatory allegations.

Moreover, the reputation of the Complainant has been

diminished and tarnished in the estimation of various people

residing in and around the Chanakyapuri Police Station. Thus,

the cause of action arose within the jurisdiction of this Hon'ble

Court; therefore, this Hon'ble Court has the jurisdiction to

entertain and adjudicate the present complaint.

17. The Complainant has received a number of calls from his friends

and colleagues, both from the media as well as the political

sphere, inquiring about the allegations put forth in the false and

defamatory statements of the Accused, thereby causing

irreparable loss to his reputation.

 JI~
18. That the Complainant craves leave of this Hon'ble Court to lead

evidence to prove his case through witnesses, a list whereof is

attached herewith.

19. That the Complainant shall also rely on the documents in the

present proceedings, a list whereof is attached herewith.

20. That this Complaint is made bonafide and in the interest of

justice.

PRAYER

In view of the facts and circumstances narrated herein above, it is

most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be

pleased to:

(a) take cognizance and issue process against the Accused for the

commission of offence under Section 499 of the Indian Penal

Code, 1860 and prosecute and punish the Accused Person in

accordance with the provisions of law;

(b) pass any such other or further orders as this Hon'ble Court may

deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case

and in the interest of justice.

COMPLAINANT
THROUGH COUNSELS

~~fwY
~"KARANJAWALA & CO.)
7-FACTORY ROAD,
NEAR SAFDARJUNG HOSPITAL,
NEW DELHI- 110029
DATE: \)-\0~20\6
PLACE: l\)M:J>e_l,\,\\
:J
::j

r1
}j
:·1'
fl IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE, \~
PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURTS, DELHI

C.C. NO. OF 2018

''~

1
.
'
~
~~
~
~
IN THE MATTER OF:

MR. MOBASHAR JAWED AKBAR ... COMPLAINANT

~
.1
VERSUS

I
~
PRIYA RAMAN! ... ACCUSED
"~
'·~
·.!11
; AFFIDAVIT

~
~ I, Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar, S/o Sheikh Akbar Ali, aged about 67

~ years, Rfo 9, Teen Murti Lane, New Delhi-110011, presently at New

'
~
:1'
Delhi, do hereby solemnly affirm and state as under:-
}

1. That I am the Complainant in the captioned matter and am

duly conversant with the facts and circumstances of the same.

ij
As such, I am competent to swear the present affidavit.
I 2. That the accompanying Complaint has been drafted by my

i ~l
~.~
counsels under my instructions, contents whereof are true and

correct to the best of my knowledge and nothing material has

l

l .,
CJ
at the annexures annexed with the present Complaint are

I
~!I
e copies of their respective originals.
~~-N-T _ __

I
./

VERIFICATION
'' ·~
tJ j OC f ZUJI
-) --..0 ;
,Y:~-r~tt at New Delhi on this _ day of October, 2018 that the
,.·.• ~~

~ ~~~-.·~-;::~~>ce~htents
~ ...
-:7'_,.-«·"'·
_,.,,
-· -_·-..
'• "·
of the aforementioned affidavit are true and correct to the

best of my knowledge and nothing material has been concealed

~.fj
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therefro~lernn!v
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. --" ; ........ e me. reaa
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Aiiui~i'r.~ ~:.~je'ci. __, .~~ -.
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""'~,.·~ ~fot\~tc-:~ir;l"'~r. "'~w f)afh!

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 )3.
IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE

PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURT, DELHI

C. C. No. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar ... Complainant

Versus

Priya Ramani ... Accused

LIST OF WITNESSES

1. Ms. Joyeeta Basu, Editor, Rjo A- 702, Grand Ajnara, Heritage,

Sector- 74, Noida, U.P. - 201301

2. Ms. Veenu Sandal, R/o- E- 160, Kalkaji, New Delhi- 110017

3. Mr. Syed Habibur Rehman, Rjo - N-140, Panchsheel Park, New

Delhi- 110017

4. Mr. Tapan Chaki, Rjo - 357 j 1/2, Prince Anwar Shah Road,

Kolkata - 700068

5. Mr. Sunil Gujral, Rjo - 10, Pak Avenue Maharani Bagh, New

Delhi - 11 0065

6. Mr. Manzar Ali, R/o- Quarter no. 200, Lodhi Colony, new Delhi-

110011

7. Any other witness with the leave of this Hon'ble Court.

COMPLAINANT
THROUGH

~
/~~
(KARANJAWALA & CO.)
7-FACTORY ROAD,
NEAR SAFDARJUNG HOSPITAL,
NEW DELHI- 110029
DATE: \f-\C ·Zl>\f .
PLACE: NM :::S>e...\"-'
~
:.

~I
~
~~

!lA
)'-t
l
~:1
IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE

·l PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURT, DELHI

j C. C. No. OF 2018
~
~l

~
IN THE MATTER OF:

j Mr. Mobashar Jawed Akbar ... Complainant

j Versus

Priya Ramani ... Accused

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

s. PARTICULARS PAGE
NO. NO. I

1. Copy of the Article dated 12.10.2017 published in }6-J~

Vogue India.

2. Copy of defamatory imputations made on twitter dated

I~
08.10.2018.

3. Copy of defamatory imputations made on twitter dated

2fJ
11.10.2018

4. Copy of the Article dated 10.10.2018 published in

2--lp2.3
Washington Post

5. Copy of the Article dated 12.10.2018 published in

~rxt
Live mint

6. Copy of the Article dated 14.10. 20 18 published in

Firstpost
U·>' ::;;....;-'

7. Certificate under Section 65-B of the Indian Evidence ~~--18

 /J/
Act, 1872 along with affidavit.

8. Any other document with the leave of this Hon 'ble

Court.

------

COMPLAINANT
THROUGH

~~~. 7-FACTORY ROAD,

NEAR SAFDARJUNG HOSPITAL,
NEW DELHI - 110029

•
PLACE:~~
DATED: \)~op:l£> \5
10/14/2018 To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world, an open letter

•
\O(~lJE INDIA SUBSCRIBE (i)
/~
To the Harvey Weinsteins ofthe world
by PRIYA RAMAN!

OCT 12, 2017

80000
"We'll get you all one day:'

Dear Male Boss,

You taught me my first workplace lesson. I was 23, you were 43. I grew up reading your
smart opinions and dremnt of being as erudite as you. You were one of my professional
heroes. Everyone said you had transformed Indian journalism and I wanted to be on your
team. So, we set a time you could interview me at the plush south Mumbai hotel where you
always stayed.

It was 7pm, but that didn't bother me. I knew you were a busy editor. When I got to the
lobby, I called you on the house phone. Come up, you said. Err really? Maybe that's how
celebrity editors interviewed newbies, I thought. Back then I didn't have the confidence to
say: "No, I'll wait for you in the lobby, you pervert."

Turns out you were as talented a predator as you were a writer. It was more date, less
interview. You offered me a drink from the mini bar (I refused, you drank vodka), we sat
on a small table for two that overlooked the Queen's Necklace (how romantic!) and you
sang me old Hindi songs after inquiring after my musical preferences. You thought you
werr;')istible.
(;) () () (;)
10/14/2018 To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world, an open letter

~ V'Q('~lE'
,, _l ; INDIA SUBSCRIBE (i)
;:;,

The bed, a scary interview accompaniment, was already turned down for the night. Come
sit here, you said at one point, gesturing to a tiny space near you. I'm fine, I replied with a
strained smile. I escaped that night, you hired me, I worked for you for many months even
though I swore I would never be in a room alone with you again.

All these years later the world has changed but your species is just the same. You still
think it's your right to take your pick of the bright professional young women who enter
YOUR workspace. You whip out your tired tricks for a new batch of women every year.
"Watch me shower." "Can I give you a massage?" "A shoulder rub?" "I'm ready for my blow
job now." "Are you married?"

You're an expert on obscene phone calls, texts, inappropriate compliments and not
taking no for an answer. You know how to pinch, pat, rub, grab and assault. Speaking up
against you still carries a heavy price that many young women cannot afford to pay.
Sometimes you are inconvenienced when the stories get out and you are asked to take a
time out. Often, you are quickly reinstated. Why would you need to evolve, right?

Sure, there are many male bosses who don't think of us as their personal harem, but I
haven't met too many who are ready to stand up with us and call out your misogyny. It
doesn't matter. There are more brave women now who are not scared to point out the
monster in the suit.

(;) (;) () () (.)

10/14/2018 To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world, an open letter

. ·\OGlE INDIA
SUBSCRIBE (i)
18

We'll get you all one day.

Priya Ramani

IN THIS STORY: MUMBAI

I NEXT STORY I

(;) (;) () () (.)

10/14/2018 Priya Ramani on Twitter: "I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn't "do" anything. Lots of women ...

X
19~
Priya Ramani ( Follow.) v
@priyaramani

I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story.

Never named him because he didn't lido"
anything. Lots of women have worse stories
about this predator-maybe they'll share.
#ulti vogue.in/content/harvey
5:45 AM - 8 Oct 2018

1,931 Retweets 3,208 Likes - 0 &. 8- a ~ ~~~)-

0 291 t_l,. 1.9K 3.2K

Prasanto K Roye @prasanto ·Oct 8 v

Replying to @priyaramani
You read this, no? Akbar again.
Every interview with a female journo was in a hotel room.
#TimesUp/f~
#MeTootf

Prasanto K Roye @prasanto

"My #MeToolf moment: Founding editor of national paper forced himself
on me" -another story of sexual assault by top journo-turned-politician/MP
whom everyone is too scared to name, but so many women have stories
about.

0 12 t.l.. 102 159

Priya Ramani @priyaramani · Oct 8 v

Yes

0 4 t.l.. 6 28

Prasanto K Roye @prasanto ·Oct 8 v

Unbelievable consistency.
What a track record.
Never a variation.
Every female journo who's interviewed him: hotel room, bed ready, drinks on
hand.

0 11 t.l. 54 136

Shuma Raha @ShumaRaha · Oct 8 v

In this case, #MeTootf. Year: 1995, Place Taj Bengal, Kolkata. After that
encounter, I declined the job offer.

0 20 t.l.. 154 274

Shuma Raha @ShumaRaha · Oct 8 v

I must clarify, however, that he didn't actually "do" anything. But the whole
experience of an interview sitting on a bed in a hotel room followed by an
invitMinn tn rnmP nvPr fnr ;~ rfrink th;~t PVPninn w;~.;; r;~ttlinn ;~nrf rfPPnlv
10/14/2018 Priya Ramani on Twitter: "Ten of us @_sabanaqvi @prernabindra @ghazalawahab @kadambarim @shutapapaul @supamasharma @ ...

X
Zo
Priya Ramani
( Follow ) v
@priyaramani

Ten of us @_sabanaqvi @prernabindra

@ghazalawahab @kadambarim
@shutapapaul @suparnasharma
@harinderbaweja @shumaraha @153anju
have painted you a clear portrait of media's
biggest sexual predator. How many more
stories do you need to hear? #MJAkbar
7:52PM- 10 Oct 2018

667 Retweets 1,200 Likes

I '1'~-·.l:'-!ltttl~
Q 114 t..1 667 1.2K

hanji @el_hanji · Oct 11 v

Replying to @priyaramani @_sabanaqvi and 8 others
I fail to understand why the distinguished 10 Ladies waited 23 years from
(Vajpayee 1996 to Modi 2018) so patiently, till Akbar became a Minister in BJP
led Gov..... 88 #MeToo.U

Q 7 t..l. 14 28

·~
Kadambari M. Wade @KadambariM ·Oct 11 v
You clearly don't read accounts. I don't typically retweet myself. But I had posted
this earlier specifically for people like you. Here.

Kadambari M. Wade @KadambariM

THREAD. (1/4) I've been seeing tweets questioning our experiences- which,
at the very least, show MJ Akbar's pattern of predatory behavior- by
attributing them to some anti-BJP agenda. @priyaramani addressed this
when she said he was the same as a Congress supporter. #MeTooft
Show this thread

01 t..l. 3 6

hanji @el_hanji · Oct 11 v

Dear Ma'm my question is simple.

1) Why did it take near 2 decades to speak about Akbar till he became a minister
in BJP led Gov?

2) If Priyaramani addressed this when she said he was the same as a Congress
supporter why did she not speak out during prev. Congress Gov (10yrs)?

0 s t..l. 4

-
Kadambari M. Wade @KadambariM · Oct 11 v
Hello, I think you misunderstand what Priya stated & what I tried to elaborate on.
What she said was that he was the same then as he is now. She did sneak uo
 10/14/2018 India's #Me Too wave: Who is next to fall?- The Washington Post

"
~~he Washington Post

Global Opinions
2-,
An actor, a journalist, a government minister: Who is next to
fall in India's #MeToo wave?

By Barkha Dutt
October 10

The rage of Indian women - submerged thus far in the recesses of memory, wrapped away in swathes of
fear and self-doubt, and suppressed for years by entrenched social stigma - has finally come pouring out
to set in motion India's long-overdue #MeToo moment. Caught in the swirl of these floodwaters: an
official in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, journalists, actors, directors and writers- all
accused of varying degrees of sexual harassment, misconduct or assault. Finally, India's women are
pushing back against the corrosive abuse of male power. It is nothing short of a revolution.

Among the most high-profile men accused this week is M.J. Akbar, once a celebrated newspaper editor
and, currently, the junior minister for foreign affairs. He was first accused by columnist Priya
Ramani, who had written about Akbar- without identifying him- in an October 2017 article for Vogue.
She recounted the night he asked her to his hotel room and made unwanted advances, including asking
her to sit on his bed. She was 23; he was 20 years older and her prospective editor. Since then, six other
women revealed how they were harassed and violated by Akbar. "The rage of younger women who had
been through much worse pouring out like lava onto my Twitter timeline forced me to question why I
was keeping quiet," Ramani told me during an interview.

Sushma Swaraj, India's foreign minister and Akbar's boss- and a strong female leader in her own
right - has ducked questions asking what actions the government would take against Akbar. But the
government's awkward silence on the allegations against Akbar is entirely untenable. A harrowing
account by Ghazala Wahab about how Akbar molested her has added a dimension of possible
criminality. The fact that Akbar represents India abroad - he was in Nigeria to mark the 150th
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth when the accusations erupted - makes his continuation in
Modi's cabinet even more shameful. He must resign- or better yet, he should be fired. The government
has taken pride in the the fact that women hold traditionally male-dominated ministries, such as
defense. It will be mere tokenism if no action is taken in the light of multiple and grave allegations
against Akbar. At the very least, there needs to be an immediate and neutral inquiry into all accusations.

The trigger for this latest wave of allegations was provided by the actress Tanushree Dutta, who
has accused actor Nana Patekar and director Vivek Agnihotri of inappropriate conduct in two separate
incidents during the shooting of a film in 2008. Confronted with the usual backlash and innuendo ("Why
didn't she speak earlier?" and "She is doing this for her 15 seconds of prime-time fame"), it turned out
Dutta had filed an official complaint right after the incident with Patekar. But no one took it seriously.
Worse, her car was attacked by a violent mob connected to a local political party.

A decade ago, India simply dismissed her story. This time, her reiteration - combined with the
unfettered space offered by social media - has begun an unprecedented and searing conversation across
professions. "Let women speak up and speak loudly; there should be such a crescendo that the rest of the
noise simply ceases to matter. In any case, secrets aren't healthy; get them out," Dutta told me during a
conversation at We The Women, a feminist festival that I curate.

But as more and more women join the chorus, the crescendo has left organizations and individuals no
wiggle room for tone deafness. Women have documented evenings where job interviews turned into
 10/14/2018 India's #Me Too wave: Who is next to fall?- The Washington Post

strength from community networks to identify alleged perpetrators. The number of such accounts have
" now run into the hundreds, and companies have been forced to take swift action. ~
Prashant Jha, who had been the political editor of the Hindustan Times, had to step down pending an
inquiry into a complaint by a former colleague. Phantom Films, a high-profile production house that
·created Netflix's "Sacred Games," has been dissolved after one of its partners was charged with assault.
Shows by the stand-up comedy group AlB have been dropped as two of its members battle allegations of
sexual misconduct. One of its comedians has been accused by several women of sending unsolicited
photos of his genitals. Another journalist, Gautam Adhikari, has quit his job at a U.S. think tank after at
least three women accused him of kissing them without consent.

What this female insurrection tells you about India's legal system is also significant. Women have tried
due process and lost hope. Even the most talked about cases take far too long. The rape trial of journalist
Tarun Tejpal was meant to be fast-tracked in eight months. Five years on, Tejpal is out on bail and the
case has seen interminable delays. In other cases, the police can be hostile, witnesses coerced and
women character-assassinated in court. Social media has provided a platform to women that Indian
courts have failed to offer.

This movement also asks us to question our own normalization of harassment. Even the strongest
among us have often looked at abuse as an inevitability, as an occupational hazard, as a sort of of boot
camp that is meant to toughen us up. Of course, like women everywhere, we sometimes don't speak in
real time for fear of damaging our careers. Once, during an interview, a politician pawed my breasts;
another time, a senior lawyer stalked me with unwanted phone calls. I have been molested while
reporting in a conflict zone. Even when I managed to slap the perpetrator or push him off, I did not go
public because I thought I would be seen as too soft or would not be sent on those assignments again.

"We fight it out, rough it all out through all of the harassment so that we don't come across as unable to
handle the rigors of field work as reporters," says Sandhya Menon, one of the first journalists who
opened India's #MeToo conversation in the news media. "The minute the man turns sexually aggressive
and we complain, we are afraid of being looked at as children who run and cry and complain. So we say
'I'm a bad-ass, gutsy girl and I can handle it.' That's what we want to be seen as. Until we realize that
'bad-ass' doesn't mean being groped and propositioned to.''

Women are angry. And we have had enough.

Barkha Dutt
Barkha Dutt is an award-winning TV journalist and anchor with more than two decades of reporting experience. She is
the author of "This Unquiet Land: Stories from India's Fault Lines." Dutt is based in New Delhi. Follow t1

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10/14/2018 M.J. Akbar, facing #Me Too heat, heads to Equatorial Guinea- Livemint

24-
Home » Politics

M.J. Akbar, facing #MeToo heat, he~ds to Equatorial Guinea

MoS external affairs M.J. Akbar proceeded on an official visit to Equatorial Guinea after Nigeria,
quelling speculation that he would be asked to cut short his Africa tour and step down due to
sexual harassment charges levelled against him
Last Published: Fri 1 Oct 12 2018. 05 12 AM 1ST

Elizabeth Roche I Gyan Varma

....... ~~~····-~--~' (Sign Up}

M.J. Akbar is a former journalist and now minister of state for external affairs. Photo: HT

New Delhi: Accusations of sexual assault and harassment levelled by almost a dozen
women under the #MeToo campaign notwithstanding, minister of state for external
affairs M.J. Akbar on Thursday proceeded on an official visit to the Equatorial Guinea
after Nigeria, quelling speculation that he would be asked to cut short his Mrica tour and
step down.

Two people familiar with the developments said on Thursday that the minister had gone
to the tiny West African country bordering Cameroon. The two people had earlier said
that Akbar would return to New Delhi on Friday after his Nigeria leg of the Africa tour.
The visit to both countries was planned before the accusations against him came to light,
the two people said separately.

That Akbar was going ahead with the visit to Equatorial Guinea without cutting short the
trin w::~s inrlil'.::~tion th::~t hP. w::~s not hP.in!! ::~skP.rl to stP.n clown. ::~t lP.::~st not immP.rli::~tP.lv. ::1
10/14/2018 M.J. Akbar, facing #Me Too heat, heads to Equatorial Guinea- Livemint

third person familiar with the matter said. vc)

Accusations against Akbar first appeared on Twitter on Monday, as the minister started
his visit to Nigeria, leading an Indian delegation to a Confederation of Indian Industry-
EXIM Bank conclave in Lagos. Nigeria is India's largest trading partner in Africa and one
of fuel-starved India's major sources of petroleum.

Indian-owned or operated companies are the second-largest employer in Nigeria,

according to the Indian external affairs ministry's website.

Tiny Equatorial Guinea is the fourth-largest supplier of natural gas to India, after Qatar,
Nigeria and Australia. The main items of India's exports to Equatorial Guinea are food
products, cereals, meat, pharmaceuticals, machinery and apparel.

In India, however, Akbar continued to remain at the centre of India's snowballing

#MeToo movement. Journalist Priya Ramani was the first to name Akbar for alleged
harassment. By Thursday, the number of women who had accused him of inappropriate
conduct had risen to at least 10. The controversy has singed many in India's
entertainment world, starting with Bollywood.

The opposition Congress on Wednesday was the first to demand Akbar's resignation and
was later joined by others. Akbar's own Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has, by and large,
remained quiet on the matter, with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj ignoring
questions on Tuesday about whether the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
government intended to take any action against him.

On Thursday, minister for textiles Smriti Irani issued a carefully-worded statement.

"Women don't go to work to be harassed. They go to work to live their dreams and earn a
respectable living. I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get the justice
that they deserve," Irani said. "The gentleman concerned would be better positioned to
speak on this issue ... Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed,
victimized or mocked."

The most stringent action that the government could initiate against Akbar was
launching an informal inquiry against the journalist-turned-politician, said a senior BJP
leader on condition of anonymity. A knee-jerk reaction such as dismissing him from his
post pending the completion of the inquiry, was unlikely, added the leader.

"An informal inquiry is more likely, but if people think that M.J. Akbar would be asked to
resign once he returns from Nigeria, then it is very unlikely to happen," the leader said.

"The government carries out informal inquiries in cases of complaints. It is the most
likely route the government would take. The government would also want to check the
validity of these allegations," the leader said on condition of anonymity.

First Published: Fri, Oct 12 2018. 01 10 AlVI IST

TOPICS: METOO : MJAI<BAR SEXUAL HARASSMENT PRIYA RAMANI SMRITIIRANI ,

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 10/14/2018 M.J. Akbar, facing #Me Too heat, heads to Equatorial Guinea- Livemint

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10/14/2018 #MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom- 14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost

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#MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual

harassment in newsroom - 14 women share their ordeal
.I India (/category/India) l FP Staff(https://www.firstpost.com/author/fp-staff) Oct 14,201813:54:50 1ST
[Co";~-~~ Share 1:~ j
Tweet (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?#MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom- 14 women share their
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Editor's Note: This article has been republished in the light ofjunior foreign minister Mj Akbar's return to India.
Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment by at least 14 women journalists and is expected to respond to the
allegations amid growing call for his resignation.

***

"The best way to eliminate poverty is to empower women. If you invest in women, you invest in future." -This was a
statement believed to have been made (https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKauVstatus/1049309219386736640) recently in
Nigeria by India's junior minister of external affairs MJ Akbar, quite ironic at present, given the myriad of sexual
harassment charges piling up against him amid the #MeToo movement gaining ground in India.

"Ten of us have painted you a clear portrait of the media's biggest sexual predator. How many more stories do you
need to hear?'' journalist Priya Ramani tweeted (https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1050217581808775168) on
Thursday, tagging the nine other women who made public in detail their experiences- some horrifying- with
Akbar.

Women have recounted their ordeals with Akbar right from the 1980s
till as recently as in in 2010-2011. Ranging from sexual harassment,
sexism and abuse of power in his capacity as an editor, they recalled
Akbar's despicable behaviour.

It was Ramani's tweet on Monday that triggered the initial outpouring

of messages claiming sexual harassment charges against Akbar. One of
them tweeted: "So many of us have an MJ story
(https ://www.firstpost. com/india/so-many-of-us-have-an-mj-akbar-
story-as-sexual-assault-cases-against-minister-of-state-mea-mounts-boss-sushma-swaraj-chooses-to-stay-mum-
5344721.html)." Little did we know the extent of what she meant by "many".

Priya Ramani
 10/14/2018 #MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom - 14 women share their ordeal - Firstpost

On Mon~~~:~R~'a'fff fuvealed Cfff~f'ID'f.i1ffftc1'~!Sf:i~fWfot~''fdf'U}~"Vb!fti~'·rHtfP~??'WWW:~ffg'l2~'ffl!CElfl~ffVlia~Vef-"www.nrstpost.~:om 1

~ ~
tlampl?_twitter_impression=true) in October 2017, in light of the sexual _... \
od film producer Harvey Weinstein, that Akbar was the editor she had written

, Ramani wrote how he had invited her to a hotel room in Mumbai for an
advances towards her. She was 23 years old, while he was 43. "Turns out you
were a writer ... " she wrote.

6 Priya Ramani
. , @priyaramani

I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him

because he didn't "do" anything. Lots of women have worse
stories about this predator-maybe they'll share. #ulti
vogue.in/contenUharvey ...
6:15PM- Oct 8, 2018

3,208 2,222 people are talking about this

Prerna Singh Bindra Writer and conservationist Prerna Singh Bindra also took to Twitter to recount her experience
with Akbar. "He was this brilliant, flamboyant editor who dabbled in politics, who called me -my first job -to his
hotel room to 'discuss work' after I put the edition to bed- read midnight- and made life at work hell when I
refused. Couldn't speak up due to various compulsions, but yes #MeTooindia. It was #MJAkbar I do not say this
lightly ... I know the consequences of false accusations and it has been now 17 years and I have no concrete proof,"
she said.

• prerna singh bindra @premabindra ·Oct 9, 2018

Replying to @premabindra
And thanks @priyaramani for speaking up and reaching out. you
gave me courage

A prerna singh bindra

WI' @premabindra

#metooinindia #MeToo I have been asked by various journalists

to talk to them on #MJAkbar . I can't now, the hurt, the
bewilderment, trying to negotiate this terrible space while
hanging on to your dignity, your livelihood & being on your own
is still a raw hurt.1/2
1:45PM- Oct 10,2018

11 See prema singh bindra's other Tweets

Ghazala Wahab

Wahab's could arguably be one of the most detailed and horrifying accounts which have come out since the #MeToo
movement (https://www.firstpost.com/indialit-was-mj-akbar-and-i-do-not-say-this-lightly~congress-demands-probe­
as-more-survivors-name-minister-bjp-remains-silent-5350351.html) picked up pace in India, as well as among the·
women who have spoken up about their distressing encounters with Akbar.

In her article, Wahab wrote that during her initial years at the newspaper, she "accepted everything as part of the
office culture- Akbar's flirtation with young sub-editors, his blatant favouritism and his bawdy jokes".

"His eyes fell on me. And my nightmare began," the journalist wrote in an article for The Wire
(https:llthewire.inlmedia/mj-akbar-sexual-harassment) on the ordeal Akbar put her through during her time at The
Asian Age. She goes on to narrate her harrowing experiences with Akbar, his persistence in trying to force himself
on her in his cabin at The Asian Age office, the emotional tactics he resorted to when he realised his physical
advances would not work and also how he got the newspaper's tarot card columnist to tell her he really loved her.

"In the last 21 years, I had put all this behind me. I was determined not to be a victim and not let one monster's
debauchery ruin my career, even though occasionally I had nightmares. Maybe now the nightmares will stop," she
~
1
,·; wrote in conclusion.

Shutapa Paul

Founder-Editor of NewCrop, Paul made public Akbar's unwanted advances towards her and repeated invitations to
his hotel room.
10/14/2018 #MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom -14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost

ltltB'fi! 1WtNIII91'1fHI'~Wffi'fl'o!f:di\'W'af\'<:J(b41l:'.'l.~"f\fAlffi•rB'wl'l''i-W'itli~' 1?ll'\i'tl:ifl."tiWI'lHIYi'i';IF\'t14JIT'i:t~4hi!ffi~·:.Ffe''' 5 ' '"'"'l

on his foreign visits," Paul wrote, as she shared multiple instances of Akbar's ~

advances multiple times, she "became completely invisible in the organisation".

impactful stories, I was relegated to being a nobody," she said, adding that she was
Today.

• Shutapa Paul @ShutapaPaul ·Oct 10,2018

: Thank you for the msgs of support and courage that I have
' received till now. I needed some time to gather my thoughts and
relive what happened to me 8 years ago. #Me Too #11.1JAkbar 1/n

A Shutapa Paul
W @ShutapaPaul

I'm better equipped to handle the trauma and stress if a similar

.incident happened today but as a 26-year-old who had just lost
her father in 2010, I struggled badly. Today, I'm ready to talk
about the sexual predator that is #MJAkbar. #MeToo 2/n
4:24PM- Oct 10,2018

406 232 people are talking about this

Saba Naqvi "The man never laid a hand on me- but I have no doubt that this was harassment by the boss ... ," writer
and journalist Saba Naqvi said. In an article for dailyO (https://www.dailyo.inlpolitics/metoo-movement-sexual-
harassment-at-workplacelstory/1/27145.html), she recounted her experience with Akbar at her first job with the
Ananda Bazar Patrika in the 1980s in Kolkata. Naqvi wrote about how she was eager to work with who "we were all
told" was "God's gift to the profession". But her perception of him changed soon after, as he made his intentions
known and began to make advances towards her. Naqvi wrote that Akbar even went to the extent of transferring her
then boyfriend (now the father of her child) from being a sub-editor on the Kolkata desk to a reporter in Daljeeling.
"It's worth writing about this now as I have, over the years, heard of similar stories in newsrooms of regional and
vernacular papers and TV channels, where women continue to put up with predatory behavior," Naqvi wrote. "In my
list of editors, he is the worst I ever encountered ... I sensed a danger and was someone who got away." Kadambari M
Wade Another former journalist at The Asian Age, Wade took to Twitter to recount her ordeal in 1998 while working
as a sport reporter at the newspaper with Akbar in charge. In a thread of seven tweets, she highlighted how Akbar
would always look at her chest while talking to her. "Sir, I'd much prefer if you'd look at my face instead of my chest
when you're talking to me,"·she said she told him. "Mr Akbar continued making me feel very uncomfortable till
shortly thereafter, I fled. I came out and told Bobilli Vijay Kumar, my sports editor, but he laughed and said, 'that's
just Akbar, don't worry. He's like that with everyone," Wade shared on Twitter.

~ Kadambari M. Wade @KadambariM ·Oct 10, 2018

· Replying to @KadambariM
(317) At that time, in 1998, I think there were maybe 5-6 active
women sports journalists in the country, in print media, 1 in Delhi.
This was a dream for me. I had written on sport in Pioneer but AA
was my 1st full-time sports job. I was nervous, excited & wary
@priyaramani

• Kadambari M. Wade
8 @KadambariM

(4/7) Mr. Akbar continued making me feel very uncomfortable till

shortly thereafter, I fled. I came out & told Bobilli Vijay Kumar,
my sports editor, but he laughed and said, "that's just Akbar,
don't worry. He's like that with everyone." It happened again
though. @priyaramani
8:36PM- Oct 10, 2018

32 27 people are talking about this

Harinder Baweja

It was journalist Baweja who tweeted, saying, "So many of us have an MJ story", after Ramani's first tweet calling
Akbar out for harassing women he worked with. "Can I come over to your house with a bottle of rum?" was one of the
tactics she said Akbar used.
10/14/2018 #Me Too: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom -14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost
Notirkaiions Pvw(•red By {http!':iiwww.izoolo.com!gt.)tting-..;lart('(l-\''ilh-izn•Jlo"!uim __ sot:n·<•=-rr·f(-JTiJl&!llm_nHJ<.liunl=PowPredBy&utm_o.:~mpaig-n=httt)"-i.:~A~C.2F~~-~Fwww.flr!'lpo-'31 cnnl)

,& Harinder Baweja ~

W @shammybaweja 7 }
So many of us have an MJ story. "Can I come over to your
house with a bottle of rum?" he said. NO, was the answer... .
Couldnt 'do' anything. Some dont get the meaning of No ... they
move on to the next, dont they

Priya Ramani @priyaramani

I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because
he didn't "do" anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this
predator-maybe they'll share. #ulti vogue.in/contenUharvey ...

7:49PM- Oct 8, 2018

306 233 people are talking about this

Anju Bharti In response to Ramani's tweet, journalist Bharti shared how Akbar, during his time at India Today, got
drunk at a party, "took females in a pool and had 'fun'. She said it was at a party hosted by Aroon Purie.

Mine was in India Today late night party thrown by Aroon Purie,
how he got drunk and took females in pool and had 'fun' what he
said ... @anjanaomkashyap
(https://twitter.com/anj a nao m kas hya p? ref_src =twsrc%5 Etfw)
@ PadmajaJoshi (https://twitter.com/PadmajaJoshi?
ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) @PreetiChoudhry
(https://twitter.com/PreetiChoud hry? ref_src =twsrc%5 Etfw)
#Metoo (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metoo?
src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).#MeToolndia
(https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeToolndia?
src=hash&ref src=twsrc%5Etfw)- anju bharti (@153anju)
- (
October 9, 2018 ·
(https://twitter.com/153anju/status/1 049479703709528064?
ref_src=twsrc%5 Etfw)

Suparna Sharma

The current resident editor of The Asian Age, Suparna Sharma also accused Akbar of harassing her. Speaking to The
Indian Express (https://indianexpress.com/articlelindialmetoo-movement-six-women-speak-up-accuse-minister-mj-
akbarcof-sexual-harassment-when-he-was-editor-53946251), Sharma said that she reported to Akbar from 1993 to
1996, and that during that time, he had plucked her bra strap and said something to her "which I don't remember
now" but made her scream at him.

She also recalled an incident in which she once went to Akbar's cabin at the office, he kept staring at her chest breast
and said something she ignored. Sharma also added that such incidents were routine with Akbar, and there were "no
committees one could go to".

ShumaRaha

Raha also shared her ordeal in response to Ramani's tweet. She said that she, too, had an encounter with Akbar after
he invited her to a hotel room for an interview.

"In this case, #Me Too. Year: 1995, Place Taj Bengal, Kolkata. After that encounter, I declined the job offer," she
tweeted. "I must clarify, however, that he didn't actually "do" anything. But the whole experience of an interview
sitting on a bed in a hotel room followed by an invitation to come over for a drink that evening was rattling and
deeply uncomfortable."
10/14/2018 #Me Too: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom -14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost

Notitkations Powc~red By
•
·
Prasanto K Roy @prasanto · Oct 8, 2018
Replying to @priyaramani
c;('j
fntrp~:iiwww.izooto.coJn!gt.~tting-..,lartc·cl·with-izooto'!uinl_sot:.!TC·=rr-fc-rrai&lttrn_nledium=PowE'r~dBy&utlll_<.:?.mpaign-==-.http!\f.~~A%2F%::!Fwww.fh'!-:ti> 1.l'>l t:rm1l

,~ •
Unbelievable consistency.
What a track record.
Never a variation.
Every female journo who's interviewed him: hotel room, bed ready,
drinks on hand.
;
A ShumaRaha
W @ShumaRaha

In this case, #Me Too. Year: 1995, Place Taj Bengal, Kolkata.
After that encounter, I declined the job offer.
7:19PM- Oct 8, 2018 ·New Delhi, India

274 174 people are talking about this

Malini Bhupta "I wasn'tjunioi' and he made my life hell," wrote Malini Bhupta, also in response to Ramani. Bhupta
said she was the deputy editor India Today when he used various tactics to "abuse and destroy you professionally, so
you grovel". "I didn't relent so he wanted to sack me, but Mr (Aroon) Purie didn't allow it. I quit in January 2011. It is
abuse of power," she shared on 1\vitter. "Men like him are vermin ... In 2010, I went on leave for three months after
verbal abuse and intimidation. I then quit. Petty man wanted to sack me, and then refused to give a release letter."

• Valhalla the viking @valhalla_· Oct 10,2018

Replying to @maliniahupta and 2 others
I doni understand why these powerful men target young juniors are
scared of them. Why don't they just go with escort girls who they
pay and where its consensual? Is it some kind of sadistic streak
, that makes want what is not consensual??
i
A Malini
V @malinibhupta

I wasn't junior & he made my life hell. I was Deputy Editor India
Today. His tactic is to abuse & destroy you professionally so you
grovel. I didn't relent so he wanted to sack me but Mr Purie
didn't allow it. I quit in Jan 2011. It is abuse of power. #MeToo
#SackMJAkbar
8:01 PM- Oct 10,2018

32 24 people are talking about this

Kanika Gahlaut

The freelance journalist, too, spoke to The Indian Express to describe how Akbar's behaviour towards everyone was
inappropriate when she worked with him from 1995 to 1997.

"One did hear, from the beginning, from before we joined that MJ (Akbar) had a glad eye, and we were forewarned".
She said he "did it to everyone".

Describing an incident, Gahlaut told The Indian Express that Akbar had invited her to a hotel room once, to which
she agreed but did not show up. However, she added that Akbar "wouldn't push" once he was told "no", contrary to
the accounts of the other women who had spoken out against him so far.

This is only a list of women who came out on record against Akbar, once considered the most powerful figure in the
field of journalism. There are so many other women who have anonymously- for various reasons, primarily to
prevent distressing their family- also shared their traumatic experiences while working with Akbar. One such
journalist, writing for Firstpost(https://www.firstpost.com/india/my-metoo-moment-founding-editor-of-national-
newspaper-forced-himself-on-me-planted-shame-fear-almost- broke-me-533 7121.html), shared a chilling account of
her experience with Akbar, once again, in a hotel room.

In another instance of Akbar inviting a young journalist up to his hotel room, a woman told Firstpostthat when she
reached his room, "I found the door ajar. MJ Akbar, with his boots on, lay sprawled on the bed. I introduced myself
and stood at the open door and answered his questions. He frowned and told me, 'Will let you know.' The interview
did not last long. I did not get the job."

The #MeToo movement has gained momentum in India and support for the cause is only rising, as is the call for
Akbar's resignation or for the government to sack him. At this point, it is hard to decide whether it would be a good
thing or bad if more women name Akbar in their #Me Too experiences -good, as it will only add to the case against
Akbar; and bad, as the women had gone through the experience and have to live with the trauma.

***
10/14/2018 #Me Too: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom -14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost

'Orkplace have been forwarded to our PoSH committee for appropriate action_
33·

MJ Akbar accused of sexual
harassment: Former journalist's fall
fi'Om grace a defining moment for
Indian politics, #MeToo India
(https://www.firstpost.com/politics/mj-
akbar-news-updates-former-journalists-
fall-from-grace-a-defining-moment-for-
indian-po!itics-metoo-india-
5367201.html)
No word on resignation, MJ Akbar
denies charges of sexual misconduct;
Congress says 'adding insult to injury'
(https://www.firstpost.com/indialwith-
no-word-on-resignation-mj-akbar-
denies-wild-sexual-misconduct-
charges-congress-says-adding-insult-
to-injury-5377451.html)
MJ Akbar denies "false and fabricated'
sexual misconduct charges. to take
legal action; no clarity on resignation
yet
(https://www.firstpost.com/india!mj-
akbar-denies-all-false-and-fabricated-
charges-of-sexual-harassment-to-take-
legal-action-no-clarity-on-resignation-
yet-5376591.html)

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PropRover
Everyone is after MJ Akbar. But is he is the lone fall guy in the ministry? And among other editors and senior journalists? This movement should not limit to an
Aloknath, Nana and MJ Akbar. It would fizzle out soon unless the harassed women in politics, media and corporate sector open up ...
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10/14/2018 #MeToo: MJ Akbar's use of 'predatory' tactics, sexual harassment in newsroom -14 women share their ordeal- Firstpost
(iwww. i:zoolo.com/g(•Hi ng·")\ miNI-with -i Z(?t)lO ·!:.1 i m__ so1 m·(~=-«·fHra!& 11trn _IW~<.Iium= Powc~r~d By& utm __ ..::~m paign.,http'1(.~~A '"!Q2: F%.::! F\.\'\._.,.... rirstihhi I~!Hil)

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il
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IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE,
PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURTS, DELHI

C.C. NO. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

MR. MOBASHAR JAVED AKBAR ... COMPLAINANT

VERSUS

PRIYA RAMAN! ... ACCUSED

:I
~j
'l CERTIFICATE UNDER SECTION 65B OF THE INDIAN EVIDENCE
:j
~~,,
~j •
~~ . ACT, 1872
.!
4
.-.!
:J
;~

I, Mr. Manzar Ali, S j o Mohammad Ali, aged about 48 years, R/ o

Quarter No.200, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi-110011, presently at New
dJ
;j
:j Delhi, state as under:-
:l
:].,
,•I
~l
-~]
:j
1. That I am working as First P.A. to the Complainant and also
-~j
:~j take care of all his official matters. I have taken the printouts of
!l
:j the material available on internet on my office computer and as
~~
>l
n
.I such I am furnishing the instant certificate;
::~

~;~

q
il ~-:-""'· 2. That the electronic record/ documents, copies where-of form a
,;,:7~'~:..~r
-
~of the present complaint by way of Annexures and which
i
'

i~
· ,:· .. ;_- L15 ~ umerated below, have been accessed, downloaded and
~ r.::::, '\~'-·::':~
~ _'?i.iv -~' ~
'•~I<!
on my computer bearing KBS, Intel i7 and printed using
1:1 \~ t ,:::,.
'
V. •,_...,·
-..._;_ \., ! 1 '
'I r./)
~ '(~
:j
. rY amsung printer ProXpress M3370FD, both placed at my
:::!
~. : -4-eW oe«''
·~- 1ce. I have taken the print outs of the documents from the
.-.:
\! web-links mentioned herein below:
,-,.;'

:;:,-,·,
~; -:
-(a) The Vogue- https://www.vogue.in/content/harvey-weinsteins-open-letter-sexual-

harassment/amp/? twitter impression=true

(b) Twitter- (i) https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1049279608263245824

( ii) https://twitter .com/priya raman i/status/1050217 58180877 5168

-'

~~
(iii) https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1051361254776983552

(c) Livemint- https:ljwww.livemint.com/Politics/tC6COLrrYte0JvdD53FYCI/MJ-Akbar-

facing-MeToo-heat-heads-to-Eguatoriai-Guinea.html

(d) The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-

opinions/wp/2018/10/10/an-actor-a-journalist-a-government-minister-who-is-

next-to-fall-in-indias-metoo-wave/?noredirect=on&utm term=.8136d14dd486

(e) First Post - https://www. firstpost.com/india/metoo-mj-akbars-use-of-predatory-

tactics-sexual-harassment-in-newsroom-14-women-share-their-ordeal-
5359861.html

3. The said computer and printer are being regularly used by me

and have been operating normally. The said
documents/ electronic records mentioned hereinabove were
accessed, downloaded and savedby me in the said computer in
the normal course of its usage and the printouts of the same,
being true copies of the said documents/ electronic records,
were taken by me in the normal course of usage of the said
printer.
4. That the documents I electronic records referred to hereinabove
and annexed with the present complaint, have not been
tampered with in any manner and are true copies of their
respe,GY.Ye
"
. .' ~
originals, as were accessed, downloaded and saved
,r,--.~:A>ft.
0-:-_('. .
..}b&~aid
' .......
computer and subsequently printed using the said
.... .- ·:_:tE' · • -: _ :._::-!printer. That further, the computer and printer referred to
. ,. . . ., . .
~

.... ~ hereinabove have also not been tampered with in any manner .
.. -:.~,:

,.,:t

r-r rift:
Mr. Manzar Ali
'lolem~···
--..,.._

. " ' c me reaa

Date:
0ver_ ~ ~:;:< '
AdrnJtte'-'
1
(c_.
_
A:, i:··· .;:~
' v!tt;..ct'-'? ,:Jeponen_r_

Place: <

Commls$lcr:~r,
I

"la;h New Oefrtrl

fi_s ocr ZOfll.

 !'

~
IN THE COURT OF THE LD. CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE,
PATIALA HOUSE DISTRICT COURTS, DELHI

C.C. NO. OF 2018

IN THE MATTER OF:

MR. MOBASHAR JAVED AKBAR ... COMPLAINANT

VERSUS

PRIYA RAMAN! ... ACCUSED

AFFIDAVIT

l I, Mr. Manzar Ali, Sjo Mohammad Ali, aged about 48 years, Rjo
l
j
Quarter No.200, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi-110011, presently at New
~
~1
·t Delhi, state as under:-
:j

I .,
~J
.,;

[J
1. That I have filed a Section 65B certificate. As such, I am
competent to swear the present affidavit .
2. That the accompanying certificate under Section 65B of the
~
il Indian Evidence Act, 1872, has been drafted by my counsels
~-

under my instructions and the contents of the same are true

and correct to the best of my knowledge and nothing material

I,,
•J
has been concealed therefrom.

f{ rift,.
~
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.. ... r(_:l
\\_-~ . DEPONENT
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. •{'\.C . ('' I{.::-" . VERIFICATION
.. \" ·- ··'"
:i,.,
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.q ---;·._,;\.n Cc,11 ·1 5 uc r zo1r···
?1_;! ,. ·;r""~Ji at New Delhi on this _ day of October, 2018 that the
·:\ ~t~~r~\ \ ~ .
~ ~.~· i 1.,x_!f..\i•'':C:~~$ : f the above mentioned affidavit are true and correct to the
;~~.,
·~~ \
•()

i~·j
\\,[.;~::\.\. t\Z~·1
'\ -~ .,..__7.Y ~lerrm:" .
1
!Y knowledge. Nothing material and relevant has been
~::
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··-.;;;; ,,... 1-,X.f:.. . . t • • ''I· . oQ
':·j - - 4dmitted . ~· . · ' ~:, •· 1e deponent
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 VAKALATNAMA
IN THE COURT OF .J..P.: ..(~t£. H.f.!/(~ fb.t../77/N,_ f.l.t?!!.!~TI.?_If.1.1.. L9.!.r.:t.fllf.1..#..tJ(!.~.(P.ti.!??.:AR-tAJ_!A!::t.H/

NO. _ _ OF20

INTER:- ~~
......... ~1..//f/tfi.R. ..~\'JfJ>... ~.f.t~ ....................................Petitioner or Plaintiff
or App. Or Complainant

..........~Y~... ~'M,t\~~~.~~~ ....................................................... Defendant or Respondent

or Accused

KNOWN ALL to,':!~om

these presents shall come That I/ we .~bt.u.~J."~.f1~.t02..-be above
named ~~.\Y.o!\~ .... do hereby appoint .

M/S KARANJAWALA & CO.

Vivek Suri
Aakanksha Munihal
Khushboo Bari
Saloni Aaaarwal
Saurabh Kumar
Mavank Dutta
Vishal Gehrana
Tahira Karaniawala Manmeet Kaur Manish Sharma
Niharika Karaniawala Naomi Chandra Aman Sinah
Varun Kumar Neha Khandelwal Utsav Trivedi
Krishna Kumar Goana
Simran Brar Ritu Ra·
Seema Sundd Natasha Sahrawat
Ariun Sharma
Pallavi Kamoani Puneet Relan
Bonita Sinqh Yashvardhan Bandi
Sushil Jethmalani Raiat Soni

Aditva Prasad Narain Sinah

Jaimeet Saran Sanjeet Aprajita Budhwar
Navandeeo Matta Gaurav Sinah Aooorva Neral
Damini Bisht

herein after called Advocates to be my/ our advocates in the above noted case and authorized them.

To act appear and plead in the above noted case in the court or in any court in which the sat

~
tried or heard and also in the appellate courts including High Court. ·

To sign, verify and present pleadings application, appeals, cross objections or petitions fo~

·l ~ ~If.
' review, restoration, withdrawal, compromise or other petitions, replies, objections or a·
documents as may be deemed necessary or proper for the prosecution of the said case in all its~

v-/ ~;f' To file and take back documents.

~~~~":!'"~f.i:'!.f!':\'t!!!~~.'Ui\11/ 1ce of disputes that may arise

::.W.:
// To withdraw or compromise the said case
touching or in any manner relating to the

~\1\.\,.<t\l1
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To take out execution proceedings.

.
To deposit, draw and receive moneys, c:_.~v ~- _~:21 _&& _~ 5 •m ~ 9 to all other acts and things
of
which may be necessary to be done for the progress and in the cciurse' prosecution of that said case.

To appoint and instruct other legal practitioners authorizing him to exercise the power and authorize
hereby confer upon the advocate whenever he may think fit to do so and sign the power of attorney on our
behalf.

And I/ We undersigned do hereby agree ratify and confirm acts done by the advocates or his substitute in
the matter is my/ our acts as if done by me/us to all intents and purposes.

And I/ We undersigned do hereby agree that in the event of any part of the fees agreed by me/ us to be
paid to the Advocate remaining unpaid, he shall be entitled to withdraw from the prosecution and would be
entitled to the same.

IN THE WITNESS WHEREOF I/ We do hereby upto.~t my/ our ha~d, tq these presents the contents to
which have been understood by me 1 us on the \5 day of UC\~ 2018

Accepted~~- L ·

(KARA~~~,
Advocates
'"I ) o"J HINDUSTAN TIMES HOUSE, ·
\ ~" 9TH FLOOR, 18-20, KASTURBA GANDHI MARG, NEW DELHI - 110 001.
PHONE NOS. : 43588888 [43588801 TO 43588899]
,-; 41551911, 41551912, 41551913, 41551914 [All Existing lines]

~
\\,o 41524740,41524741,41524742,41524743,41524744,41524745,41524746,
~) FAX NOS. : 41551910, 43588800
'-:) EMAIL ID : karanjawala@karanjawala.in