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MJ Akbar testimony in court in MeToo case: Ramani called me talented predator, defamed me

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MJ Akbar testimony in court in MeToo case: Ramani called me talented predator, defamed me

The first union minister to go over charges of sexual harassment, editor-turned- politician MJ Akbar today (Wednesday, October 31) recorded his testimony before the Patiala House Court in the criminal defamation case he has filed against journalist Priya Ramani who has accused him of being a sexual predator.

Beginning his testimony by telling the court about his journalistic credentials, before venturing on to his political career, Akbar denied all charges, saying the allegations levelled by Ramani are “concocted and false” and have caused “immediate damage” to his reputation.

The BJP MP told the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal that Ramani’s tweets and article that carried the allegations against him have “lowered my reputation in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the public, my friends, colleagues, peers and professional and political fraternity, thereby causing irreparable loss to my reputation and goodwill.”

Asserting that he had, over the past three decades, “acquired a good reputation both as a writer and an editor”, the former journalist told the court that Ramani herself had admitted that he “didn’t do anything (implying that he was not involved in any incident of sexual harassment against the respondent)” but called him a “talented sexual predator” nevertheless.

Stating that the publication and wide circulation of Ramani’s allegations had affected his colleagues and upset his friends, Akbar told the court that there “was immediate damage (to his reputation) because of the scurrilous nature of these concocted and false allegations. I was attacked in a personal capacity about fabricated non-events allegedly done two decades ago.”

“I’ve filed a criminal defamation complaint against Priya Ramani for a series of tweets that she published. First one came to my notice on my return from my official tour. The tweet had a link to an article in a magazine called vogue,” he said, adding that her tweets dated October 10 and October 13 were picked by various media organisations and did rounds on social media, causing defamation.

“The defamatory/offending portion in particular apart from the rest of the article (in Vogue) is when she (journalist Priya Ramani) referred to me a ‘talented predator’ and an expert on ‘so-and-so’,” Akbar told the court, according to news agency ANI.

Akbar said Ramani had not mentioned his name in an article published in Vogue in 2017. “Clearly she was advised by Vogue that including my name would invite liability,” he said.

“The opening sentence of her tweet explained one anomaly. When the article was first published in Vogue, it didn’t include my name. When asked about it, she said it was because ‘I had done nothing’. Clearly, she was advised by Vogue that including my name would invite liability….There was an immediate damage because of the scurrilous nature of the concocted and false allegations. I was attacked about the alleged and fabricated non-events. I chose to seek justice in my personal capacity without the appurtenance of the office and that’s why I resigned,” ANI quoted him as saying.

Ramani’s allegations which triggered a slew of similar charges being leveled against Akbar by at least 30 other women journalists who had worked with him in various publications over the past three decades had led to his resignation from the Union council of ministers earlier this month. Akbar had slapped the defamation case against Ramani while rejecting all allegations leveled by her as baseless and driven by a political agenda.

During the last date of hearing in the case, the court had directed Akbar to record his testimony on October 31.

Following recording of Akbar’s statement, the court fixed November 12 as the next date of hearing when witnesses listed by him will record their testimonies.

India News

Bank holiday today: Are banks open or closed on June 29? Here’s what RBI calendar says

Banks in Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram will remain closed on June 29, 2026, due to regional holidays, while banking operations will continue normally in most other states.

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Bank Holidays

As June comes to an end, many customers are wondering whether banks across the country are open on June 29, 2026. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) holiday calendar, bank operations will not be affected nationwide, but branches in some states will remain closed due to local holidays.

Banks closed in these states on June 29

Banks will remain shut in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, June 29, on account of Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti. In addition, bank branches in Mizoram will remain closed to observe Remna Ni, a regional public holiday.

However, bank branches in most other states and Union Territories are expected to function normally as June 29 is not a nationwide banking holiday.

Will online banking services remain available?

Even when physical branches remain closed, customers can continue using digital banking facilities. Services such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI transactions, ATM withdrawals and cash deposits at ATMs will remain operational.

Customers planning to visit a bank branch are advised to check with their local branch beforehand, as holiday schedules may vary depending on the state and local observances.

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Second cloudburst in a week triggers floods in Arunachal, travel advisories issued

A second cloudburst in less than a week has caused fresh flooding and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, leading authorities to issue travel advisories in affected districts.

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Cloud burst in Arunanchal

A second cloudburst within a week has triggered widespread flooding and landslides in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, prompting district authorities to issue travel advisories and urge residents to avoid non-essential journeys.

Torrential monsoon rains accompanied by cloudbursts have severely affected the East Siang and Leparada districts, damaging road infrastructure and disrupting connectivity in several areas. According to local authorities, multiple key road links in East Siang district have either been blocked or washed away due to incessant rainfall.

Several road links damaged

The worst damage has been reported on the Pasighat-Runne-Takilalug Road, where sections of the route have been extensively affected. Landslides and overflowing streams have also rendered several other roads unsafe for vehicular movement. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery and emergency teams to clear debris and restore connectivity at the earliest.

Officials have advised people to undertake travel only if absolutely necessary and to remain alert, particularly in landslide-prone stretches. Residents have also been asked to closely follow official weather updates and district advisories.

The latest weather-related disruption comes days after flash floods and landslides caused extensive damage in Keyi Panyor district, where rescue and relief operations are still underway following heavy rainfall earlier this week.

Meteorological forecasts indicate the possibility of continued heavy rainfall across parts of Arunachal Pradesh, raising concerns over further flooding and landslides in vulnerable regions.

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Delhi likely to receive monsoon by July 4, says IMD

The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi by July 4, offering relief from persistent heatwave conditions.

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Delhi Monsoon

Residents of Delhi may finally get respite from the prolonged spell of intense heat, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting the arrival of the southwest monsoon in the national capital by July 4.

According to the weather office, conditions are becoming favourable for the monsoon to advance further across several parts of north India, including Delhi, over the next five to six days. The forecast comes after the capital witnessed unusually high temperatures and delayed seasonal rainfall.

Monsoon expected to advance across north India

The IMD said the southwest monsoon is likely to progress into additional parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during the coming days as weather systems create conducive conditions for its advance.

The expected arrival of the monsoon is likely to bring widespread rainfall activity and provide much-needed relief from scorching temperatures that have persisted across Delhi and adjoining regions. The city has experienced an extended period of heat, with temperatures remaining above normal in recent weeks.

The weather department has also issued heatwave warnings for parts of Uttar Pradesh even as monsoon activity gradually strengthens across northern India.

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