The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) decision to dismiss Congress MP and professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from service following an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment by women students.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the interim order after Akoijam challenged his termination, arguing that he had not been issued a notice before the university took the decision. The court also issued notice to JNU, seeking its response to the petition, and scheduled the next hearing for January 2027.
Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha, was dismissed from the university on October 9 after its Internal Committee recommended disciplinary action following complaints by several women students.
The Congress MP has denied the allegations and questioned the fairness of the university's proceedings, describing the action against him as politically motivated.
๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐น๐ฎ๐ด๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐
During Monday's hearing, Akoijam's counsel submitted that the university had terminated his services without providing him an opportunity to respond before taking the final decision.
The High Court granted interim relief by suspending the operation of the dismissal order pending further proceedings. It also directed the university to respond to the issues raised in the petition.
The order does not constitute a final determination of the allegations against Akoijam or the legality of the university's disciplinary proceedings.
The matter will be examined further when the petition comes up for hearing in January.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐' ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐๐
The controversy began after 11 women students submitted complaints alleging sexual harassment by Akoijam, who was associated with JNU's Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences.
The university's Internal Committee conducted an inquiry into the complaints and subsequently recommended a major penalty against the professor.
Acting on the committee's findings, JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit issued an order on October 9 dismissing Akoijam from service with immediate effect.
The university maintained that it had followed due process and considered the available evidence before imposing the punishment under the applicable service rules.
The complaints included allegations of inappropriate personal interactions, sexually suggestive remarks and unwelcome conduct. These remain allegations disputed by Akoijam.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฃ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
Akoijam has consistently rejected the accusations and alleged that the university's action was part of a politically motivated campaign against him.
He has disputed claims concerning his participation in the internal inquiry and maintained that he had submitted a written response and witnesses in his defence.
Following his dismissal, the matter also triggered political reactions, with BJP leaders demanding accountability and questioning whether he should continue as a Member of Parliament.
The Congress MP, however, maintained that he would contest the allegations through the appropriate legal process.
๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐
Separately, Delhi Police registered an FIR against Akoijam on October 11 at the Vasant Kunj North police station following a complaint submitted by JNU's Chief Security Officer.
The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman's modesty.
Akoijam was subsequently summoned for questioning and appeared before investigators in connection with the allegations.
The police investigation remains underway, independently of the proceedings concerning his dismissal from university service.
In a related development on Monday, Akoijam approached Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court seeking anticipatory bail in the criminal case. His application is scheduled for hearing on November 3.
The High Court's interim order provides relief against JNU's termination decision but does not affect the continuing criminal investigation.
The university's response and the arguments concerning the disciplinary process are expected to be considered when the High Court resumes hearing the matter in January 2027.