Vasant Kunj Police Station served a formal notice to Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Thursday, directing him to cooperate with the ongoing probe into sexual harassment allegations. The document, accessed by NDTV, explicitly states that non-compliance without lawful justification will result in legal consequences as prescribed under the BNSS, 2023. This marks a significant escalation from the university's internal dismissal to direct state criminal investigation.
The police registered an FIR against Akoijam on Sunday, following a complaint filed by JNU’s Chief Security Officer. The case invokes sexual harassment and other relevant charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The root of this legal battle traces back to May, when at least 11 women students alleged that Akoijam invited them to his on-campus residence under the pretense of academic meetings. They further claimed he attempted to sexually harass them and made obscene remarks inside the classroom.
JNU’s internal inquiry examined these allegations and subsequently dismissed the professor. Akoijam, however, has consistently rejected the claims, labeling himself a "soft target" in what he describes as a political witch hunt. Despite his denial, the case has ignited a fierce political row. The BJP has targeted the Congress and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for their perceived silence on the matter. Earlier this week, a delegation of BJP women MPs met President Droupadi Murmu to demand Akoijam’s resignation as a parliamentarian.
The next phase of this legal and political saga hinges on Akoijam’s response to the police summons. If he appears and cooperates, the investigation will likely delve deeper into the specific incidents reported by the students. If he refuses, the police are empowered to invoke stricter provisions of the BNSS, potentially leading to more coercive legal actions. The pressure from opposition parties and the university's prior dismissal now sit in tension with the formal criminal proceedings, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle.