The Delhi High Court has stayed the decision of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to dismiss Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a faculty member at JNU’s School of Social Sciences and a Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, over allegations of sexual harassment.
The court granted interim relief on 2 November 2026, with the order posted online shortly thereafter. It observed that the university could not impose the major penalty of dismissal without first issuing a show-cause notice and providing the opportunity for a personal hearing to the professor regarding the proposed punishment.
Justice Anup J Bhambhani stated, “This court is of the prima facie view that, regardless of other ancillary regulations, it is difficult to accept that the drastic and severe ‘major’ penalty of dismissal from service could have been imposed without issuing a show cause notice and granting a personal hearing in relation to the penalty proposed to be imposed.”
The court has stayed the effect and operation of the 9 October 2026 dismissal order and all related university actions until the next hearing on 25 January 2027.
Background
The dismissal of Professor Akoijam on 9 October 2026 followed sexual harassment complaints filed against him by at least 11 female students in May. Complainants accused him of inviting students to his residence on false pretenses and attempting sexual harassment, as well as making inappropriate remarks during classes. The grievance was investigated by JNU’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
Legal Contentions
The university argued that the dismissal followed University Grants Commission regulations on the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment in higher education institutions, rather than procedures under the JNU Act. However, Akoijam’s counsel contended that the inquiry violated proper procedure: complaints were not filed by the alleged aggrieved parties themselves but by other students; the ICC report dated 9 October lacked the signature of the student representative; Akoijam was not suspended beforehand; and no opportunity to show cause was given prior to dismissal.
JNU denied that the complaints were not made by the alleged aggrieved parties themselves.
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NIRF #2 (2025)Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1969View details
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NIRF #4 (2025)Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1920 · 239 acresView details
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NIRF #5 (2025)University of DelhiNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, JEE MainEst. 1922View details
Central UniversityCentral Sanskrit UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 2020View details
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NIRF #1 Open UniversityIndira Gandhi National Open UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiEst. 1985View details
Central UniversityShri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1962View details
Central UniversitySouth Asian UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: Own Entrance, NET/JRFEst. 2010View detailsFurther Developments
Following the dismissal, the Delhi Police registered an FIR on 11 October 2026 against Akoijam for sexual harassment and insulting a woman’s modesty based on a complaint by the university’s chief security officer.
The Delhi High Court’s interim order restricts JNU from enforcing the dismissal and related actions until the next scheduled hearing.
Next Hearing
The court listed the matter for 25 January 2027 to consider further proceedings.
