Relationship was based on coercion not consensual: Pallavi Gogoi

Former Union Minster MJ Akbar, who had to resign as minister over sexual harassment allegations against him, was accused of rape by this US-based journalist who worked with him over two decades ago.

In response to M J Akbar's contention that he had "consensual relationship" spanning several months with journalist Pallavi Gogoi, the journalist says it was not. A relationship that is based on coercion, and abuse of power, is not consensual. I stand by every word in my published account, tweets journalist Pallavi Gogoi.

My statement: pic.twitter.com/7xoADdIHoX

— Pallavi Gogoi (@pgogoi) November 2, 2018

Former Union Minster MJ Akbar, who had to resign as minister over sexual harassment allegations against him, was accused of rape by this US-based journalist who worked with him over two decades ago.

MJ Akbar has dismissed the allegations as false, his lawyer told The Washington Post, which has published the first-person account of Pallavi Gogoi, an editor at the National Public Radio (NPR).

Pallavi Gogoi in a post said, "In his hotel room, even though I fought him, he was physically more powerful. He ripped off my clothes and raped me. Instead of reporting him to the police, I was filled with shame. I didn't tell anyone about this then. Would anyone have believed me? I blamed myself. Why did I go to the hotel room?"