A Delhi court hearing the ongoing defamation case filed by former Union minister and BJP leader MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani passed an order today granting temporary relief to Ramani. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal exempted Ramani from personal appearances in court during future hearings and summoned Akbar to court on May 4.

Following the sexual harassment allegations raised by Ramani against Akbar in the wake of the MeToo movement, Akbar had filed a private defamation complaint against her. During the hearing today, Ramani pleaded not guilty to the charge and claimed trial.

Earlier, on February 25, Ramani was granted bail on a surety of Rs10,000 and asked to appear before the court again on April 10.

Ramani is being represented in the case by senior lawyer Rebecca John while Akbar has solicitor firm Karanjawala & Co as his legal counsel.

–India Legal Bureau