New Delhi, Nov 2 Congress MP and dismissed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has moved a local court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case.
The matter has been listed for Tuesday and is likely to be heard by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh.
In October, JNU dismissed professor Akoijam over allegations of sexual harassment. The professor, however, has termed the action a "witch hunt" and has raised questions regarding due process.
According to reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against the professor in May. 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 have also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks during classes.
On October 12, police registered an FIR against the Inner Manipur Congress MP, days after he was sacked from service.
Based on a complaint and documents submitted by JNU's chief security officer (CSO), the FIR at Vasant Kunj North police station invokes sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with sexual harassment and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
According to the FIR, the assessment and observations recorded by the members of the university's Internal Committee (IC) were forwarded to police following an internal investigation.
In the complaint, the CSO said the IC conducted an inquiry into the allegations raised by various complainants and recorded its findings, assessment, and observations in the matter.
"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 on Monday stayed the JNU administration's decision to terminate the services of professor Akoijam, issuing notice to the university on the Congress MP's petition challenging the dismissal order. This case has been listed for hearing in January.
