'M J Akbar A Brilliant Journalist With Impeccable Reputation' : Witness In Defamation Case Against Priya Ramini

Witness examination continued today in MJ Akbar's criminal Defamation case against Priya Ramani who had alleged the former of sexually harassing her. Two witnesses were brought for examination before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal. One of these witnesses was Ms Jyotika Basu, who's the Editor of The Sunday Guardian.

Ms Basu was first examined by Ms Geeta Luthra, who's the counsel for the complainant. When asked about her past engagements and interactions with Mr Akbar, Ms Basu responded by saying that she had worked with Mr Akbar for 15 years and she dedicated her professional learning to him. 'He's a strict professional, a teacher, someone who has taught me everything I know in magazine and newspaper journalism; given me hands on training right from deciding stories, to layout making, to giving headlines, to sending the paper to press, about how to start a magazine, newspaper, right from scratch', she mentioned.

Ms Basu continued to mention in her chief examination that Mr Akbar was seen both in the office and in the public eye as a brilliant journalist with an impeccable reputation. She further mentioned that she felt really embarrassed after reading Priya Ramani's tweets and the same lowered Mr Akbar's image in her eyes. 'Those tweets were scandalous. 'There was a lot of talk in the circle of my acquaintances', she said. She also believed that Ramani's article destroyed Mr Akbar's reputation irreparably.

After this, the cross-examination was conducted by Ms Rebecca Memon John and Mr Bhavook Chauhan. During the cross, Ms Basu was asked about the interviews she had given to news channels such as NewsX and India Today describing her relationship with Mr Akbar. 'I did mention in the interview that I share a guru-shishya relationship with him and I'm truly indebted to him', she mentioned.

During the course of her cross-examination, she went on to mention that she has never worked with Priya Ramani and doesn't have any personal knowledge about the allegations levelled by the latter against Mr Akbar.

The next date for the hearing is  August 23.