The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed JNU's order dismissing Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from service, and issued notice to the university on his petition challenging the termination.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the interim order after Akoijam's counsel submitted that no notice had been issued to him before the university took the decision. The matter has been listed for hearing in January 2027.
JNU dismissed Akoijam with immediate effect on October 9. The order, signed by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit, followed an Internal Committee inquiry into complaints filed in May by at least 11 women students, and a recommendation of a major penalty.
The complainants alleged that Akoijam, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some also alleged obscene and sexually inappropriate remarks in class.
Akoijam has denied the allegations and described the proceedings as politically motivated. He has disputed the university's claim that he did not cooperate with the inquiry, saying he submitted witnesses and a written response. Student representatives on the Internal Committee have separately alleged procedural lapses and a breach of confidentiality in the case.
The criminal case is separate from the service dispute. Delhi Police registered an FIR on October 11 at the Vasant Kunj North police station on a complaint by JNU's Chief Security Officer, under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Akoijam appeared before investigators for questioning in October and said he would get justice. The investigation is continuing.
The case has been fought politically as well. BJP workers held protests in Delhi and Srinagar demanding that the Congress expel the Manipur MP, and the party's Mahila Morcha picketed against him. In Manipur, sections of opinion backed him. The complainants condemned what they called an attempt by the ABVP to politicise the case and said it had been hijacked.
The stay suspends the termination until the petition is heard, but does not touch the police investigation. Akoijam represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)