Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam appeared before the Delhi Police on Thursday in connection with a sexual harassment case, days after Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) dismissed him from his position as a professor, officials said.
Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency, appeared before investigators at the Vasant Kunj North police station, according to officials.
The Delhi Police issued a notice to Akoijam on Wednesday, directing him to join the investigation into a case registered on October 11 following a complaint filed by JNU's chief security officer.
The Congress MP has been booked under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions deal with sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman's modesty, among other offences.
A large number of Akoijam's supporters gathered at Imphal airport on Thursday afternoon to see him off as he departed for Delhi to appear before the police.
Speaking to reporters at the airport before his departure, Akoijam said he was travelling to Delhi in response to a police summons and expressed confidence that justice would prevail.
“I am going to Delhi because of a police summons. Don't worry, justice will be done. This is the beginning of undoing all the injustices my people have faced over the decades,” he said.
He added that his fight would extend beyond the allegations against him to what he described as decades of suffering endured by the people of Manipur.
“Fighting for justice is the beginning. I will fight against the injustices meted out to me as well as the decades of suffering my people have endured. I am acutely aware that today is October 15,” he said.
October 15 is observed by banned militant outfits in the Manipur Valley as a day of protest against the merger of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur with the Union of India.
Akoijam, who served as a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under JNU's School of Social Sciences, was dismissed from the university on October 9 following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him.
According to reports, at least 11 female students submitted complaints against him in May. They alleged that he invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to harass them. (with inputs from PTI)