At The Eye Of The #MeToo Storm, M J Akbar Resigns As Minister Of State For External Affairs

Minister Of State for External Affairs M J Akbar resigned from his post on Wednesday (17 October) following multiple allegations of sexual harassment, Times of India has reported.

"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 levied against me, also in a personal capacity, (sic)" MJ Akbar said in a statement.

“I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of minister of state for external affairs. I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country,” he added.

Akbar had earlier on Tuesday (16 October) filed criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani who was the first to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment.

The court has set the matter of the former central minister for hearing on 18 October.

Akbar, on Sunday (14 October) has rejected the allegation levelled against him as “false, fabricated and deeply distressing”. He also said that he was initiating legal action against the accusers.