MJ Akbar (file photo) | Photo Credit: PTI

New Delhi: Delhi's Patiala House Court on Thursday said that it will examine the statements by MJ Akbar and other witnesses on October 31, in the defamation case filed by the journalist-turned-politician against journalist Priya Ramani. Akbar, who resigned as Minister of State for External Affairs on Wednesday evening, has filed a defamation suit against Ramani, who made allegations of sexual harassment against Akbar, during his days as a journalist. Ramani's claims were seconded by several other women, who took to social media and revealed their accounts of alleged sexual misconduct by Akbar.

"Priya Ramani has tweeted defamatory tweets against the complainant. Her 2nd tweet was clearly defamatory and liked by 1,200 people," Akbar's lawyer Geeta Luthra reportedly told the court according to news agency ANI.

"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. I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of Minister of State for External Affairs. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and to the External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country," Akbar had said in his plea.

Akbar had filed the defamation case on Monday, after returning from his official overseas trip. Responding to a question on the defamation suit filed by Akbar, Ramani had said, "Rather than engage with the serious allegations that many women have made against him, he (Akbar) seeks to silence them through intimidation and harassment."

BJP's political rivals- Congress and AIMIM had been mounting pressure on the government, demanding Akbar's resignation after his name surfaced in the #MeToo campaign on social media. He has, however, called the allegations "scandalous" and defamatory.