The verdict in the M J Akbar's criminal defamation complaint against journalist Priya Ramani for her allegations of sexual harassment against him will be announced on 17 Feb, said a Delhi Court on Wednesday.

The matter was adjourned after the written submissions were submitted late, a Delhi Court said on Feb 10.

On Feb 1, the Court had reserved the judgment after Akbar well as Ramani completed their arguments.

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The editor-turned-politician filed the defamation case against Priya Ramani on October 15, 2018, for allegedly defaming him by accusing him of sexual misconduct decades ago when he was a journalist.

Ramani was the first woman to accuse the former Minister of State of External Affairs of sexual misconduct in the wake of the #MeToo movement in 2018.

Over 20 women accused Akbar of sexual harassment during the time they had worked with him as journalists. He has, however, termed the allegations “false, fabricated and deeply distressing”

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(With inputs from PTI)