The Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rouse Avenue is hearing former Union Minister, MJ Akbar's criminal defamation case against Priya Ramani for her allegations of sexual harassment against Akbar..Recently-appointed Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Ravindra Kumar Pandey is hearing the matter. Since a new judge has taken over, parties have been asked to make final submissions afresh..At the last hearing, Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra argued that Ramani's statements were per se defamatory and made deliberately with mala fide intention..Luthra remarked,"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.".No settlement in MJ Akbar defamation case before Delhi Court as Priya Ramani stands by her statement.Previously, the newly-appointed judge had asked MJ Akbar and Priya Ramani whether there was any scope to settle the matter. While Priya Ramani'counsel signalled that Ramani did not intend to back down from her statement, Akbar's advocate suggested that the matter be continued to be heard on merits..Senior Advocate Rebecca John is expected to advance submissions on behalf of Ramani today..Live updates from the hearing today feature here.
