MJ Akbar Resigns As MoS External Affairs After Being Caught In The #MeToo Storm

MJ Akbar has stepped down from his position as Minister of State (Mos), Ministry of External Affairs after he was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. Akbar's decision comes after he filed a defamation suit against Priya Ramani.

Akbar had accused Ramani of "wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and malaciously" defaming him and has sought her prosecution under the penal provision on defamation. MJ Akbar's defamation suit names only one of the multiple women who have accused him of sex harassment, but 20 women journalists have pledged to testify in court against him.

Now, Akbar has decided to step down from his position, stating that he wants to clear his case in the court of law. In a statement, Akbar has said, "Since I have decided to seek justice in a court of law in my personal capacity, I deem it appropriate to step down from office and challenge false accusations levelled against me."

MJ Akbar's decision to resign comes just 24 hours before the defamation case hearing in court.