New Delhi, November 5: A Delhi court has directed the city police to give seven working days’ prior written notice before taking any coercive action, including arrest, against Congress MP from Inner Manipur and dismissed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in a sexual harassment case.
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh passed the direction on November 5 while disposing of Akoijam’s anticipatory bail plea. The court specified that the notice must be served physically and not through electronic means.
Delhi Police told the court that it was not presently considering Akoijam’s arrest, given the nature of the allegations and the stage of the investigation. However, the court directed that if circumstances change and arrest or custodial interrogation becomes necessary, the police must provide seven working days’ prior notice.
The court noted that the allegations against Akoijam relate to sexual harassment and inappropriate professional conduct. The offences mentioned in the FIR carry a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment, although some are non-bailable.
The investigating officer informed the court that no complainant had yet been examined because JNU authorities had not provided the details of the complainants. Police were in the process of obtaining the information.
Taking note of Akoijam’s clean antecedents and his immediate cooperation with the investigation after being summoned, the court directed the police not to take coercive steps without prior notice. Akoijam was also asked to provide the names of at least two people from his family, residence or office who could receive the notice if he was unavailable in Delhi.
The protection is conditional on his continued cooperation with the investigation and appearance before the investigating officer whenever required.
What are the allegations?
According to the court order, 16 complainants, including men and women, submitted a joint complaint to JNU authorities on May 18 this year. The university subsequently constituted an internal committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
Fifteen of the 16 complainants appeared before the committee and presented their accounts. Independent witnesses and defence witnesses were also examined. The committee concluded that the allegations against Akoijam were established and recommended a major penalty, following which JNU terminated his services.
The complainants alleged that Akoijam invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes.
Delhi Police registered an FIR on October 12 based on a complaint and documents submitted by JNU’s Chief Security Officer.
Akoijam has described his dismissal as a “witch hunt” and questioned the due process followed by the university.
Meanwhile, on November 2, the Delhi High Court stayed JNU’s decision to terminate his services and issued notice to the university on his petition challenging the dismissal. The matter is listed for hearing in January.
The criminal investigation by Delhi Police is continuing separately from the proceedings challenging his termination from JNU.
