/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/12/20/untitled-1-1-2025-12-20-12-04-20.png)
Priya Ramani is the journalist who called out the former newspaper editor, union minister MJ Akbar, opening the floodgates for more than 20 women—including New York-based journalist Pallavi Gogoi, who alleged Akbar raped her—to speak out.
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/12/18/arts-and-culture_marayacouple_en_static_display_300x250-2025-12-18-11-05-09.jpg)
Her words began the chain reaction that eventually led Akbar to step down from his job as a minister. He filed a criminal defamation case against her that is likely to become a landmark case pertaining to sexual harassment.
“As women, we feel vindicated by MJ Akbar’s resignation. I look forward to the day when I will also get justice in court. By instituting a case of criminal defamation against me, Mr Akbar has made his stand clear: rather than engage with the serious allegations, he seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment. I am ready to fight allegations of defamation laid against me, as truth and the absolute truth is my only defence,” she wrote in a statement on Twitter.
