New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Monday listed for final hearing on September 24 the plea filed by former Union minister M. J. Akbar challenging the acquittal of journalist Priya Ramani in a criminal defamation case related to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said the trial court records had been received and written submissions had been filed by both sides.

“Trial court record has been received. Written submissions have been filed by both the parties. List for final hearing on the next date,” the judge said.

Akbar has challenged the February 17, 2021 order of a trial court which acquitted Ramani, holding that a woman has the right to raise her grievances on any platform of her choice even after several decades.

The high court had earlier agreed to examine Akbar’s appeal against the order and admitted it on January 13, 2022. Notice in the matter was issued to Ramani in August 2021.

In his appeal, Akbar argued that the trial court decided the case on the basis of “surmises and conjecture” and failed to properly appreciate the arguments and evidence on record.

He also claimed the court “gravely erred” in observing that he did not have a stellar reputation and ignored established principles of criminal jurisprudence.

The trial court had dismissed Akbar’s criminal defamation complaint and acquitted Ramani, saying the charges against her were not proved.

In its verdict, the court had also remarked that it was shameful that crimes against women were occurring in a country where epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana emphasise respect for women.

Ramani had accused Akbar of sexual misconduct in 2018 during the #MeToo movement.

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Akbar filed the defamation complaint against her on October 15, 2018, alleging that the accusations defamed him. He resigned as a Union minister two days later.