JNU harassment case: Bimol Akoijam seeks 'protection' from arrest as legal battle intensifies

Congress MP from Manipur and suspended Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has approached the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case involving complaints by 11 female students. The court is scheduled to hear his plea on Tuesday, November 3. Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Akoijam on October 11, following a complaint by JNU's Chief Security Officer. The case pertains to allegations of sexual harassment and insulting the modesty of a woman. The development comes amid a series of legal and administrative proceedings against the Congress MP, who was dismissed from his position at JNU on October 9 following an inquiry by the university's Internal Committee (IC).

However, the Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the university's dismissal order, granting interim relief to Akoijam. The High Court has also issued notice to JNU on his plea. He had challenged the decision, raising questions about the procedure followed during the inquiry and alleging that he was being targeted as part of a conspiracy. Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha, has denied the allegations. Following reports of his dismissal, he had said that he had not received or examined the termination order. "I have nothing to hide. I don't have the report or the dismissal order.

If there are allegations, then show me the evidence in the report or anywhere. Only then will you understand how this witch hunt has been going on. If it is true, let me see it," he had told reporters on October 9. In its dismissal order, JNU maintained that the prescribed procedure had been followed and all available material had been taken into consideration. Akoijam taught at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the university's School of Social Sciences. What are the allegations against Bimol Akoijam? At least 11 women students submitted complaints against Akoijam in May 2026, alleging sexual misconduct.

According to the complaints, he allegedly called students to his university accommodation under the pretext of meetings and social gatherings, where he attempted to sexually harass them. Some of the complainants also accused him of making obscene and inappropriate comments during classroom sessions. The university's Internal Committee subsequently conducted an inquiry into the allegations, following which the administration terminated his services with immediate effect on October 9. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) welcomed the university's decision. The commission said it had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and sought a report from the JNU Vice-Chancellor.

It also said it had maintained regular follow-ups concerning the investigation and the action taken by the university. BJP women MPs seek Lok Sabha Speaker's intervention The controversy had also reached Parliament on October 15, when a delegation of BJP women MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and sought action against Akoijam. The delegation urged the Speaker to consider referring the matter to the Parliament's Ethics Committee and examine whether Akoijam should continue as a Lok Sabha member. BJP MP D Purandeswari told reporters that the MPs had brought the Internal Committee's findings to the Speaker's attention.

"We told the Speaker that the JNU internal committee has found the Congress MP [Akoijam] guilty. We urged the Speaker to consider referring the matter to the Parliament Ethics Committee and also consider whether he should continue as a member of the Lok Sabha," Purandeswari said. She added that Birla had assured the delegation that he would examine the matter and consider whether it should be referred to the Ethics Committee. Meanwhile, the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) welcomed JNU's decision to dismiss the professor. It also called for an impartial investigation, stressing that political position or influence should not prevent appropriate action.

Akoijam has denied the allegations and challenged the university's inquiry and dismissal decision.