New Delhi: A Delhi Court acquitted journalist Priya Ramani from the defamation suit filed by the former Union Minister and senior journalist MJ Akbar. Journalist Priya Ramani made allegations against MJ Akbar in 2018 in the #Metoo agitation.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey said that he pointing out that “even a man of (high) social status (standing) can be a sexual harasser,”, “It can’t be ignored that most times sexual harassment is committed behind closed doors”.

She made allegations against MJ Akbar that he sexually harassed her at the time, when he was an editor in a reputed newspaper.  MJ Akbar filed a case against her in a Delhi Court said on Wednesday, acquitting her of all charges. “Women can’t be punished for raising instances of sexual abuse,” the court said, adding that “right of reputation” a reference to MJ Akbar’s suit “cannot be protected at the cost of right to dignity”.

The Judge also said “The Indian constitution allows women to put forward her grievances before any forum and at any time,” taking cognizance of the lack of mechanisms to raise sexual harassment complaints.

“Most of the women who suffer abuse can’t often speak up due to stigma and attack on their character,” he added. Ms Ramani told the media that she feels “vindicated” on behalf of the women who spoke out against sexual harassment in the workplace.