UKHRUL/NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Thursday directed the Delhi Police to give Inner Manipur Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam seven days’ advance written notice before any arrest in connection with a sexual harassment case involving complaints by female students.
Special judge Digvinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the direction while disposing of the MP’s anticipatory bail plea after the Delhi Police informed the court that it was not contemplating his immediate arrest.
According to a report by Bar and Bench, the court noted that MP Akoijam had been cooperating with the investigation and had no adverse criminal antecedents. It also observed that the investigation was ongoing and that statements of the complainants were yet to be recorded, as the investigating agency was awaiting details from the JNU administration.
The court directed that any notice preceding a possible arrest be served on Akoijam in writing. It also asked him to provide the contact details of two persons known to him to facilitate the delivery of notices. The investigating officer would be at liberty to approach the court for appropriate directions in the event of any non-cooperation.
The case stems from sexual harassment allegations levelled by female students of JNU, following which the Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) at Vasant Kunj North police station under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
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The latest court development comes amid a separate legal challenge by the MP against his dismissal from JNU on October 9, following an internal inquiry into the allegations.
In an earlier statement reported by Ukhrul Times on October 10, MP Akoijam described the allegations and the university’s Internal Committee proceedings as a “witch hunt”. He had claimed that he had not received a copy of the inquiry report or the dismissal order, questioning the procedure followed by the university.
Referring to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Lok Sabha MP maintained that he should have been given access to the inquiry findings and an opportunity to respond to the committee’s recommendations.
“I have nothing to hide,” he had said, adding that the law should apply equally to everyone, including those at JNU.
MP Akoijam also questioned the evidence supporting the allegations and demanded that the claims against him be substantiated.
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On November 2, the Delhi High Court stayed the operation of JNU’s October 9 order terminating Akoijam’s services after he challenged the university’s decision.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice to JNU seeking its response to the petition. The matter has been listed for further hearing in January 2027.
The High Court’s interim intervention came after MP Akoijam challenged the termination, raising questions about the procedure followed by the university.
MP Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha, has denied the allegations and maintained that the action against him was politically motivated.
