Editors’ Guild of India Suspends MJ Akbar and Tarun Tejpal

While the Guild has suspended Akbar and Tejpal, they have sought a formal response from Gautam Adhikari.

The Editors’ Guild of India on Wednesday, 12 December, suspended former Union Minister MJ Akbar and journalist Tarun Tejpal following the allegations of sexual misconduct against the two.

The Guild, in its statement, said:

“A majority of the Executive Committee members suggested that the membership of Mr Akbar should be suspended. There was also consensus that Mr Tejpal be suspended too, until the conclusion of his trial.”

Editors’ Guild of India

While Akbar has been accused by multiple women of committing sexual misconduct, rape and assault during his tenure as a senior editor, in light of the #MeToo movement, Tejpal has been charged with rape.

The Guilds’ statement also mentions the name of Gautam Adhikari, former editor of DNA, who was also accused by at least three women of committing sexual misconduct during his tenure at The Times of India and DNA.

“For Mr Adhikari, the Office-bearers decided that the Guild will write to him seeking a formal response to the charges against him.”

Editors’ Guild of India

Read the Full Statement Here

“The Editors Guild of India (EGI) had sought the views of its Executive Committee (EC) on what action should be taken against Mr MJ Akbar, a dormant member at present and one of its past presidents, Mr Tarun Tejpal and Mr Gautam Adhikari in light of the charges of sexual misconduct levelled against them by several women journalists. Mr Akbar’s lawyer‘s response to the Guild’s show-cause notice was also shared with the EC.

A majority of the EC members suggested that the membership of Mr Akbar should be suspended. There was also consensus that Mr Tejpal be suspended too, until the conclusion of his trial and the Guild should write to Mr Adhikari to seek his response.

Office-bearers of the Guild discussed the EC’s comments and took the decision on the matter. It has concurred with the majority view that Mr Akbar should be suspended from the Guild till such time that the court case he has filed is concluded. Using the same logic, the Office-bearers decided that Mr Tejpal too should be suspended from the Guild. For Mr Adhikari, the Office-bearers decided that the Guild will write to him seeking a formal response to the charges against him.”