MJ Akbar v. Priya Ramani: Delhi Court hears final arguments [LIVE UPDATES]

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. Judge Vishal Pahuja is hearing the matter.

Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra concluded her final submissions on behalf of MJ Akbar in February this year. Senior Advocate Rebecca John concluded her submissions on behalf of Ramani on September 19.

Shortly before the Delhi Court was slated to hear Luthra's rebuttal for Akbar, the Judge expressed doubts over if that the case may have to be transferred since it is a Special Court designated to hear cases against MPs/MLAs. The development came in the backdrop of a Supreme Court order to expedite cases pending involving legislators.

On October 22, however, a District and Sessions Judge opined that there is no need to transfer the 2-year old case, given that the emphasis of the Supreme Court order was on cases involving MP/MLAs and that it was not intended anywhere that the Special Courts would be for cases against the MP/MLAs.

Live updates of the hearing today before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate feature on this page.