Sexual Harassment Row: Court Issues Notice to Delhi Police Over Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam's Bail
Rouse Avenue Court extends interim protection for Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam in a sexual harassment case involving JNU students.
The Rouse Avenue Court has issued a formal notice to the Delhi Police regarding the anticipatory bail application filed by Manipur MP and JNU professor, Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. The legal battle stems from serious allegations of sexual harassment involving students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Interim Protection Extended
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh has extended the interim protection granted to the MP until the next scheduled hearing on November 5. The court has listed the matter for arguments on that date, while Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Manish Rawat appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police to accept the notice.
The case originates from an FIR registered at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station. It is alleged that 11 students from JNU levelled accusations of sexual harassment against Akoijam during his tenure as a professor at the university.
The Legal Tug-of-War over Jurisdiction
The path to the Rouse Avenue Court was marked by a jurisdictional dispute. Initially, the MP approached the Patiala House Court for anticipatory bail, given that the FIR was lodged at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station. However, the Patiala House Court declined to hear the plea, noting that because Akoijam is a sitting Member of Parliament, the jurisdiction falls under the Rouse Avenue Court.
The investigating officer also raised this jurisdictional point to oppose the bail plea at the earlier stage. Consequently, the Patiala House Court granted him interim protection until November 2 before the matter transitioned to the current court.
Timeline of Bail Requests
- October 12: A Manipur court granted transit bail until October 20.
- October 20–29: The transit bail was extended.
- October 29: Interim protection was granted by the Patiala House Court.
- November 3: Rouse Avenue Court issued notice to Delhi Police and extended protection to November 5.
Arguments from the Defense
Counsel representing Dr. Akoijam has presented several points to support the bail plea:
- Cooperation: The defense claims the MP has cooperated with the Investigation Officer (IO).
- ICC Report: An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) examined the matter, and the resulting report has been submitted with the application.
- Nature of Complaint: The counsel argued that the complaint was a general submission made to the Dean by a group of students, rather than a direct complaint from an aggrieved woman.
- Current Status: It was further submitted that the alleged complainants are no longer joining the investigation.
Additionally, the defense noted that the High Court has stayed the termination of his services. Meanwhile, the court has directed the Delhi Police to place the original complaints filed by the students on the official record for further review.