Indian Minister MJ Akbar denies sexual misconduct allegations

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has released a statement denying sexual misconduct allegations against him and threatening legal action on the matter, Indian media reports.

The allegations of sexual harassment against him are ‘false and fabricated’, said Akbar, making no comment on calls for his resignation.

"Why has this storm risen a few months before a general election? Is there an agenda? You be the judge. These false, baseless and wild allegations have caused irreparable damage to my reputation and goodwill. This is deeply distressing. I will be taking appropriate legal action," Akbar said, according to NDTV.

Akbar would not resign as the government was not involved in the accusations and the move might set a bad precedent, NDTV reported, citing sources.

The 67-year-old Akbar made his statement after returning from an official trip to Nigeria during which several women came forward with detailed accounts of sexual misconduct against him, according to NDTV.

According to the Times of India, several women journalists shared on social media their experiences of sexual misconduct by Akbar when he held senior editorial positions at various media organisations amid the #MeToo campaign in India.

The BJP has yet to comment on the matter, though sources from the party told the Times of India that it is treating the allegations seriously and that there is no guarantee that Akbar will be allowed to continue in the post.