Former Union Minister MJ Akbar came forward in his defence against rape allegations levelled by Journalist Pallavi Gogoi on Friday in Washington Post. Denying the rape accusations, MJ Akbar says that they had a consensual relationship.
“Somewhere around 1994, Ms. Pallavi Gogoi and I entered into a 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 the best note,” said MJ Akbar.
“People who worked with me and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to testify, and if the behaviour of Pallavi Gogoi give any one of them impression that she was working under duress,” said MJ Akbar in his defence.
In the past few weeks, I have been subjected to a barrage of false and fabricated accusations, which I am now addressing. For the moment, this is all I wish to say.
“On October 29th, the Washington Post forwarded a series of cryptic and nin-specific questions, regarding incidents alleged to have taken place approximately 23 years ago. These allegations were false and were consequently denied. On the morning of 2nd November, 2018, the Washington Post ran a piece written by Ms Pallavi Gogoi, detailing false allegations of rape and violence against me. I have had ocassion to read this article and it has become necessary at this point in time, to bring certain facts to light,” said MJ Akbar in a statement to ANI.
