"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, (sic)" he said in a statement.
“I have, therefore, tendered my resignation from the office of minister of state for external affairs. I am deeply grateful to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country,” he added.
Akbar is facing allegations of sexual harassment and had on Tuesday filed a criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, who was the first to report against him.
The hearing of the case filed by the former Union minister is scheduled on Thursday, October 18.
Akbar had on Sunday rejected the allegations as "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against the accusers after charges were levelled against him as part of the #MeToo movement.
from Times of India https://ift.tt/2CPKWkA
