Imphal: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has dismissed Professor and Congress Lok Sabha MP from Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, after an internal inquiry upheld sexual harassment complaints filed by at least 11 students.
A university order issued on October 9 said the decision followed the findings and recommendations of JNU’s Internal Committee (IC).
The committee investigated allegations against Akoijam during his tenure at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems and recommended major disciplinary action under the applicable service rules.
The university dismissed him after completing the required disciplinary procedures.
The complaints were filed before the formal inquiry began. Students alleged that Akoijam, who lived on the university campus, regularly invited them to his residence for gatherings where he made unwanted sexual advances.
They also alleged that he made lewd and inappropriate remarks during classroom lectures. These allegations prompted other students, including senior students, to come forward with similar complaints.
Before the dismissal order was issued, Akoijam rejected the allegations and announced plans on September 14 to file a lawsuit against what he described as an illegal and unethical media trial over unverified allegations.
During a visit to striking research scholars at Dhanamanjuri University, he said media trials were not legally permissible in India and maintained that the matter should be settled in court.
The case had also triggered political tensions and student protests on the JNU campus. On September 9, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest outside the JNU School of Social Sciences, demanding Akoijam’s immediate dismissal.
ABVP leaders accused the JNU administration of delaying action and applying different standards because of Akoijam’s political position. They alleged that the inquiry had exceeded its legally prescribed timeline.
The student organisation also criticised Left-wing student groups and the Congress party for their silence and called for an independent inquiry free from political influence.
JNU’s final order said the disciplinary action was taken under the service rules governing university employees. Akoijam has not yet issued a response to the dismissal order.