Delhi Police have summoned Congress MP and former Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam for questioning on October 15 in connection with a sexual harassment case involving complaints by JNU students. Police pasted the notice outside the MP’s residence and directed him to join the investigation.
The notice was issued by the Vasant Kunj North police station, which is investigating the case based on a complaint filed by JNU’s chief security officer. An FIR was registered on October 11 under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to police officials cited in the report.
The police are examining the allegations and other facts related to the complaints. Media reports cited by Jagran said at least 11 female students had complained against Akoijam in May. The students alleged that they were called to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or other programmes, where they were allegedly subjected to attempts at sexual harassment. Some students also alleged that inappropriate and obscene comments were made in class.
The allegations had also been examined through an internal university process. Following the committee’s inquiry and its recommendation for major disciplinary action, JNU dismissed Akoijam from his professorial position on October 9. The police investigation is separate from the university’s disciplinary proceedings and is examining whether the allegations attract criminal liability under the sections included in the FIR.
Akoijam has denied the allegations and described the university action against him as a “witch hunt”. He has also demanded that the evidence against him be made public. No criminal court has delivered a final verdict in the case, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
The police notice comes amid political pressure surrounding the case. The Bharatiya Janata Party has questioned the Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the allegations against the MP. On October 13, a delegation of BJP women MPs met President Droupadi Murmu and sought action in the matter.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Roop Kumari Choudhary said the delegation had also urged the President to ensure the safety of the students who filed complaints. The immediate procedural step is Akoijam’s appearance before the Vasant Kunj North police for questioning on October 15, while the investigation into the allegations continues.
