Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Congress Lok Sabha MP from Inner Manipur seat of Manipur, has got a big legal relief from Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court. Amid fears of possible arrest by Delhi Police in a case of sexual harassment lodged by JNU girl students, the court has directed that if arrest of the MP is necessary during the investigation, then the police will have to give him written notice 7 days in advance. After this order of the court, the Congress MP has got a big security cover from arrest or any coercive action. With this, the special court has disposed of the anticipatory bail petition of the MP.
This entire controversy is related to JNU’s Center for the Study of Social Systems. Around 11 girl students of the university had made serious allegations of sexual harassment against Akoizam, following which a formal complaint was lodged with the police. The police had registered an FIR in this case under section 75 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). After this, Akoizam rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated and sought interim protection from the court. During the hearing in the court, the investigating officer of Delhi Police clarified that the MP is fully cooperating in the investigation and after receiving the summons on October 15, he appeared at Vasant Kunj North police station and recorded his statement. On the basis of this cooperation, the police assured that he would not be arrested without advance notice.
Angomcha Bimol Akoizam had initially moved the Patiala House Court seeking a stay on his arrest and anticipatory bail, which granted him temporary relief on October 29. However, the plea was transferred to the Rouse Avenue court due to its special jurisdiction to hear cases involving elected public representatives (MPs/MLAs). The court of Special Judge Digbhinay Singh told Delhi Police in clear words that if any new facts come to light in the investigation on the basis of which the need for custody is felt, then the police will have to give written notice of at least 7 working days to the MP. By getting this time period, the MP has got the statutory right to approach the court again if needed in future.
On the other hand, based on these complaints of sexual harassment, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of JNU had submitted its investigation report, after which the university administration had ordered the termination of Akoizam’s services. However, the MP challenged this dismissal in the Delhi High Court, where the High Court stayed this order of the university and issued a notice. Legal experts say the Rouse Avenue Court’s decision with 7-day notice has provided MP Akoizam ample time and legal protection to face the ongoing criminal and administrative investigations against him.