A Delhi court has directed the Delhi Police not to take any coercive action against Congress MP from Inner Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, until November 5, while seeking its response to his anticipatory bail application in a sexual harassment case involving allegations by several female students.
Special Judge Digvinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order on Tuesday while listing the matter for further consideration on November 5. The court also directed the investigating officer to appear in person with the case records on the next date of hearing.
During the proceedings, counsel representing Bimol Akoijam submitted that the MP had earlier secured transit anticipatory bail from a court in Manipur, which was subsequently extended by the Patiala House Court on October 29. The defence also informed the court that Bimol Akoijam had joined the investigation and was cooperating with the investigating authorities.
The case stems from complaints by several female students, reportedly including at least 11 complainants, who alleged that Bimol Akoijam invited them to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some also accused him of making obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes. The Delhi Police registered an FIR under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Bimol Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency and was a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) School of Social Sciences, has denied the allegations.
The latest court development comes a day after the Delhi High Court stayed JNU’s October 9 decision to terminate his services. Bimol Akoijam had challenged the university’s dismissal order, which was issued following an inquiry by its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
The university’s termination order, signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, stated that the ICC had conducted an inquiry and recommended disciplinary action based on its findings. It maintained that the dismissal followed due process and consideration of the committee’s report.
The interim protection granted by the Rouse Avenue court and the Delhi High Court’s stay on the termination order are separate judicial developments concerning the criminal investigation and Bimol Akoijam’s academic employment, respectively. Both matters remain subject to further proceedings.