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Reuters
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI
Indian government minister MJ Akbar filed a defamation suit against one of at least 10 women accusing him of sexual harassment on Monday, calling her allegations false and malicious.
The lawsuit, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, names journalist Priya Ramani as the sole accused and says that she"intentionally put forward malicious, fabricated and salacious"allegations to harm his reputation.
The lawsuit comes amid widespread calls on social media for Akbar's resignation from his post as the minister of state for external affairs.
Akbar, 67, a veteran editor who founded several publications, has been accused of a range of inappropriate behaviour by female journalists who previously worked as his subordinates. Many journalists have called for Akbar to be sacked and have threatened to boycott events he is attending until he resigns.
Akbar is one of the highest-profile figures so far to face accusations in India's burgeoning #MeToo movement. Several powerful men from the worlds of media, entertainment and the arts have been snared in sexual harassment and assault allegations, which have led to a string of ousters. In a one-page statement on Sunday, Akbar described allegations against him as"wild and baseless"and questioned if they were politically motivated.
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16/10/2018
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