[Live-Updates] Defamation Case By MJ Akbar Against Priya Ramani- Final Arguments By Sr.Ad. Rebecca John

The judge has to attend a training programme at this moment.

The matter is adjourned till Sep 8 at 12 noon. 

Hearing resumes.

John now refers to the statements made by Ramani under sec 313 of CrPC

Judge decides to break for a lunch break. Proceedings will resume at 2:30

John: There are contradictions in Akbar's response to questions asked about Ramani's story

'Earlier he had said he doesn't remember, later he denied those facts', John argues 

John: Earlier Akbar had said that he doesn't remember being served a notice for contempt by the High Court and for which he had issued an apology

'Later on he recognised it when a certified copy was shown to him', John argues

John: I had every right to test Akbar's veracity while cross-examining him

John argues that Akbar only talked about one aspect of his political life

'That's why I cross-examined him about the earlier part of his political life which he chose not to speak about', she argues 

John argues that while Ramani is not denying writing the Vogue article, it is important to highlight that only first 4 paras related to Akbar. The other paras were about male bosses in general

John informs the court that Akbar had admitted that Pallavi Gogoi was his subordinate at the workplace

John reads out part of Akbar's statement wherein he had stated that Pallavi Gogoi used to have dinners with his family and never showed a horrified face of a victim of a sexual offence