On Tuesday (24 November 2020), Journalist Priya Ramani said to Delhi Court that she stands by her statement and that there is no chance for settlement between the two parties in MJ Akbar’s defamation case.
In the last hearing, the newly transferred Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rouse Avenue Court had asked MJ Akbar and Priya Ramani, if the matter could be settled.
During the course of the hearing, the counsel for MJ Akbar, senior Advocate Geeta Luthra has submitted that if Priya is ready to apologize, then necessary instructions could be taken. However, Ramani’s Advocate has replied,
“Ramani stands by her statement. If the Complainant (Akbar) wants to withdraw then he may bring it on record.”
Rejecting the suggestion, the counsel for MJ Akbar Advocate Sandeep Kapoor has said to continue the argument on merit basis.
Briefly, the case was filed under criminal defamation earlier in October 2018, by MJ Akbar against Journalist Priya Ramani after she took to Twitter alleging sexual misconduct.
And, Today the counsel for MJ Akbar has begun her final submissions in the defamation case reiterating that the three ingredients of criminal defamation were made out (i.e., Reputation, Dissemination of Information & a consequent lowering of reputation) and the same was proved in the case.
While arguing, Luthra has noted that Priya’s Statements were per se defamatory and made deliberately with Malafide intention. Claiming that Priya has no defence, the counsel for MJ Akbar has said,
“The accused has unsupported statements as evidence.. she (Ramani) and her second witness (Nilofer) have contradicted themselves……. it (the allegation) is not supported by CCTV or hotel record.”
Further, Advocate Luthra has concluded that due care and caution should have been taken by Priya Ramani’s irresponsible nature.
However, therefore, the matter will be heard on December 2.
