#MeToo: Priya Ramani gets bail in MJ Akbar defamation case

On Monday, Delhi's Patiala House Court granted bail to senior journalist Priya Ramani on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. 

Next date of hearing is April 10.

Ramani had appeared before the court in connection with a defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over #MeToo allegations levelled against him.

Priya Ramani is an accused in the criminal defamation complaint filed by former union minister MJ Akbar.

Journalist Priya Ramani after being granted bail by Patiala House Court said, as quoted by ANI, "The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defense."

Ramani is one among several women who accused Akbar of sexual harassment during his time as a media personality, forcing him to resign from the Union cabinet on October 17, 2018. 

Later, the politician filed a defamation case against her, following which Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal summoned her.

Following this, Ramani responded with a tweet, sealed with a smiley. 

"Time to tell our side of the story," she wrote.

MJ Akbar's legal team, comprising senior advocate Geeta Luthra and lawyer Sandeep Kapur, has told the court that Priya Ramani damaged Akbar's reputation by levelling "false, wild and baseless allegations".

Others who accused Akbar of sexual misconduct include United States-based journalist who claims that she was assaulted at a Jaipur hotel over 23 years ago, followed by instances of "sexual, verbal and emotional" defilement. 

(With inputs from ANI)