The trial court had dismissed the complaint filed by Akbar, saying no charges were proved against Ramani.

Sexual abuse takes away dignity and self-confidence and sometimes a victim may not speak up for years due to the mental trauma, the Court observed.

The judgement is definitely empowering for women who want to make complaints and go ahead and call out their oppressor, says Ghazala Wahab, Executive Editor, Force.

Former Union minister MJ Akbar had filed a defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani after she accused him of sexually harassing her in 1994.

Ramani had made an allegation of sexual misconduct against Akbar in the wake of #MeToo movement in 2018.

Akbar had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Ramani over allegations of sexual misconduct against him

Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for Akbar, said that if Ramani was apologetic for her allegations, she would ask him to consider closing the complaint.

Akbar had filed a defamation suit against Ramani for allegedly defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct

The case is at the stage of final hearing.

In 2018, journalist Priya Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago.