Congress MP Bimol Akoijam seeks anticipatory bail in sexual harassment case

Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has approached a court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The application is listed for Tuesday and is likely to be heard by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh. JNU dismissed Akoijam in October over sexual harassment allegations, but the Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the decision to terminate his services.

Akoijam, the Congress MP from Inner Manipur, has described his dismissal as a "witch hunt" and raised questions about due process.

Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on October 12, days after he was dismissed from service. According to reports, at least 11 women students filed sexual harassment complaints against him in May.

The complainants alleged that Akoijam invited students to his campus residence on 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.

PTI reported that the FIR was registered at Vasant Kunj North police station on the basis of a complaint and documents submitted by JNU's chief security officer.

According to the FIR, the university's Internal Committee forwarded its assessment and observations to the police after conducting an internal investigation. In the complaint, the chief security officer said the committee had investigated allegations made by several complainants and recorded its findings, assessment and observations.

"The allegations against Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Centre for Studies of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, JNU, have been examined by the Internal Committee, and after assessment of witnesses, defence witnesses, and other material came on record," the FIR states.

In a related development, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to JNU on Akoijam's petition challenging his dismissal while staying the university's decision to terminate his services. The High Court case is listed for hearing in January, while his anticipatory bail plea is expected to be heard on Tuesday.- Ends