Thread by @barandbench

A predator is more powerful than his prey, Ramani.

I used the word 'predator' to emphasize and highlight the difference in age, influence and power between Mr Akbar and myself. I was a young journalist, he was a famous Editor, 20 years older than me who called me to his bedroom in a hotel for a job interview, Ramani.

On the same day, I received a whatsapp message on my cellphone from Niloufer, Ramani.

Judge asks Ramani to show the original message if she still has it.

Ramani shows it to the Judge.

Luthra objects, argues it is inadmissible.

Judge says that the objection shall be decided at the time of final arguments.

'T' in the message is the daughter of Ms Niloufer, Ramani clarifies.

After the 8th, I tweeted again on Oct 10, 2018. I tagged 10 women who had spoken up against Mr Akbar in my tweet, Ramani.

After Ghazala, Shunali, Prerna and I tweeted about Me Akbar, many women shared their experiences of sexual harassment by Mr Akbar, Ramani.

Some tweeted immediately, some tweeted, some wrote articles, some used other social media platforms such an Medium to share their stories, Ramani.

They are Shuma Raha, Shutapa Paul, Ghazala Wahab, Harinder Baweja, Ruth David , Majlie Kamp, Saba Naqvi, Kadambari Wade, Kanika Gehlot, Pallavi Gogoi, Tushita Patel, Suparna Sharma, Swati. Gautam Prerna Singh Bindra tweeted again naming Mr Akbar, Ramani.

I saw and read two pieces by Ghazala Wahab in The Wire, Ramani.

I also read an article at Betwa Sharma and Aman Sethi, Ramani.

On Oct 14, 2018, I found out through media reports that Mr Akbar had returned from his foreign tour. By this time, more than 12 women had spoken up about Mr Akbar, Ramani.

..I read that Mr Akbar had handed in his resignation and hence I tweeted this. Later on, the news turned out to be false and Mr Akbar resigned a few days later, Ramani

That same day, the Bruhan Mumbai union of journalists and the Network of Women in Media wrote a statement addressed to the President and PM supporting me, Ramani.

The statement is of the next day, Oct 15, Ramani corrects.

I learnt through media reports that Mr Akbar had filed a criminal defamation case against me. I issued a statement and posted it on my twitter account, Ramani.

On Oct 16, 2018, I read that 20 women who had worked at the Asian Age over the years had written a statement saying they were willing to testify on my behalf, Ramani.

Proceedings adjourned for the day.

Matter to be taken up next on Monday.