Former Union minister

Accused of: Several women journalists, including Priya Ramani, Ghazala Wahab and Shutapa Paul and Tushita Patel came out with detailed accounts of alleged sexual misconduct by Akbar when he held senior editorial positions at various media organisations.

His defence: The Union minister has called all the allegations against him false and fabricated. He has further accused Priya Ramani of "wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously" defaming him.

Current status: The Editors Guild of India on Thursday, through an official statement, requested M J Akbar to withdraw his defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani. Akbar has also filed a defamation case in Delhi's Patiala House court against Priya Ramani. The court has fixed October 31 for the next hearing. Meanwhile, 20 women journalists have come out in support of their colleagues and urged the court to hear their testimonies against Akbar. On Wednesday, Akbar resigned as minister of state for external affairs following the spate of sexual misconduct accusations levelled by several women against him.