Indian Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, who has been called out by nearly a dozen women as a sexual predator during his days as a newspaper editor, denied allegations and would not resign.

He also said that he will take legal action against those who have accused him of sexual assault. His statement ruled out any call for resignation, reports the NDTV.

The government has nothing to do with the accusations against him and his stepping down may set a bad precedent, sources said.

"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," MJ Akbar said, over accusations of sexual harassment.

In response to questions from journalists at the Delhi airport, Akbar said, "There will be a statement later on". The women who have accused Akbar of sexual harassment in the #MeToo campaign sweeping the nation are mostly journalists who worked with him or appeared for job interviews when he was editor.

As many as 12 journalists have accused Akbar of sexual harassment while he was one of the most powerful journalists in India himself.

The floodgates of allegations opened when journalists across the country joined the #MeToo movement and spoke up about Akbar's 'predator behaviours' across newsrooms. 

The 67-year-old Minister of State for External Affairs is the former co-founder of two news dailies, The Telegraph and The Asian Age.

Akbar was first named as a #MeToo accused by journalist Priya Ramani who tweeted that her article in Vogue in 2017 on sexual harassment was against him. 

BDST: 1830 HRS, OCT 14, 2018
AP