Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) terminated Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam’s employment on October 9, ending his tenure at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems. The university’s Internal Committee (IC) completed an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against the professor and recommended major disciplinary action. Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit signed the dismissal order, executing the committee’s recommendation without delay.
The decision followed a standard due process within the university framework. The IC reviewed the available facts and the professor’s responses before submitting its report. JNU administration stated that the dismissal was imposed with immediate effect, removing Akoijam from service entirely. This is not a suspension or a temporary hold; it is a final administrative exit.
Akoijam taught in the School of Social Sciences, a department known for rigorous academic discourse and social activism. The harassment allegations triggered the formal inquiry mechanism mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. The university’s prompt action signals a shift toward stricter enforcement of accountability in higher education institutions, where such cases often drag on for years.
No further appeal process was mentioned in the initial order description, suggesting the administrative decision is final. The university has not publicly detailed the specific nature of the allegations to protect the privacy of the complainant, a standard protocol in such sensitive matters. The dismissal stands as a definitive conclusion to the internal investigation.