JNU Sacks Professor Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Jawaharlal Nehru University dismisses Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam following an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations by 11 female students.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has taken decisive action by dismissing Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from his position with immediate effect. The decision follows a rigorous inquiry into serious allegations of sexual harassment involving 11 female students.
Dismissal Following Internal Committee Inquiry
According to an official order released by the university on October 9, the dismissal was the result of a recommendation made by the university's Internal Committee (IC). The committee conducted a thorough investigation into the complaints and suggested a major punishment for the professor.
The university administration stated that after following all due processes and evaluating the available facts, they decided to impose the penalty of dismissal from service. Professor Akoijam was a member of the Centre for the Study of Social Systems within the School of Social Sciences.
The disciplinary action was carried out under specific university service rules, referencing the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules and UGC guidelines. The order confirmed that the university acted upon the formal report submitted by the Internal Committee.
Timeline of Allegations and Administrative Pressure
The case has been a subject of significant scrutiny. The female students involved had previously raised concerns that the university administration had been slow to respond to their initial complaint. It was claimed that the original complaint had been submitted to the Vice-Chancellor as far back as May.
The matter gained wider public attention following the circulation of a video on social media, which prompted the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) to intervene. On September 16, the DCW took suo motu cognisance of the situation, demanding a factual report from the JNU administration.
DCW Intervention and Demands for Accountability
The Commission's involvement intensified the pressure on the university to act. The DCW specifically sought clarity on several key points, including:
- Whether the initial complaint had been formally referred to the Internal Complaints Committee.
- What specific actions had been taken by the university since the complaint was filed.
- The timeline of the investigation process.
The DCW had previously directed the university to submit an Action Taken Report within a strict three-day window, reminding the institution that all complaints of sexual harassment must be handled with fairness, sensitivity, and legal promptness.