MJ Akbar row: Former minister MJ Akbar denies all 'rape and harassment' charges by US-based journalist; says, 'it was consensual'

Amid the #MeToo campaign beginning to stir India, the allegations this time have surfaced from a US based Indian journalist, who accused former Minister MJ Akbar of ‘raping her and tearing her clothes apart’. But, the Editor-turned-politician has denied all the charges levied against him by the US-based editor of a leading media house.

Akbar, who was responding to the allegations to news agency ANI, said that the relationship they had was consensual and continued for several months.

“Somewhere around 1994, Ms. Pallavi Gogoi and I entered into consensual relationship that spanned several months.This relationship gave rise to talk and would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on best note,” Akbar said.

"On 2 Nov, 2018, the Washington Post ran a piece written by Ms. Pallavi Gogoi, detailing false allegations of rape and violence against me. I have had occasion to read this article and it has become necessary, at this point in time, to bring certain facts to light," Akbar told ANI.

Akbar further added that, “Somewhere around 1994, Ms. Pallavi Gogoi&I entered into consensual relationship that spanned several months.This relationship gave rise to talk &would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on best note.”

The US based journalist had alleged in a piece published in the Washington Post that, “In his hotel room, even though I fought him, he was physically more powerful. He ripped off my clothes and raped me. Instead of reporting him to the police, I was filled with shame. I didn't tell anyone about this then. Would anyone have believed me? I blamed myself. Why did I go to the hotel room?”

Also read: #MeToo: US based journalist alleges rape accusation against former minister MJ Akbar, says, 'Akbar ripped