Delhi High Court Puts JNU’s Dismissal of Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam on Hold

The Delhi High Court on Monday put a stay on Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) decision to terminate the services of Inner Manipur MP and professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations.

Justice Anup J Bhambhani issued a notice to JNU in response to Akoijam’s petition and fixed the next hearing for January. The court’s interim order suspends the dismissal decision and further action against him until further proceedings.

Akoijam, who served as a professor at JNU’s School of Social Sciences, was removed from his post and directed to vacate the university campus on October 9. Challenging the university’s action, he argued that he was not given a proper opportunity to present his case and that the administration had not complied with the required procedures under UGC regulations and the JNU Act.

However, the university maintained that the prescribed procedures were followed. The termination order, issued by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit, was based on recommendations made by the university’s Internal Complaints Committee. The matter originated from complaints submitted in May by 11 female students alleging inappropriate behaviour and obscene comments during lectures.

The controversy also sparked political tensions in Manipur. While the BJP called for Akoijam’s resignation as a Member of Parliament, the Congress accused the ruling party of exploiting the allegations for political purposes. The issue also led to protests and counter-demonstrations in different parts of the state.

Earlier, a delegation of BJP women legislators, led by Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi, met President Droupadi Murmu and sought Akoijam’s suspension from the Lok Sabha along with protection for the complainants. BJP youth and women’s organisations also organised protest rallies in New Delhi and Imphal.