New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has granted interim protection from arrest to Congress MP from Manipur, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, in a sexual harassment case, while seeking a response from the Delhi Police on his anticipatory bail application.

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh issued notice to the Delhi Police on Tuesday while hearing Akoijam’s plea. The court directed that no coercive action be taken against him until November 5, when the matter will be taken up for further hearing. It also asked the investigating officer to appear in court with the case file on the next date.

Akoijam has alleged that he is being deliberately targeted and that due legal procedure was not followed in the proceedings against him.

In a separate development, the Delhi High Court on Monday stayed Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) decision to terminate his services. Akoijam had been dismissed from the university on October 9. The Delhi Police registered an FIR against him on October 12, following his removal from service.

At least 11 female students had filed complaints of sexual harassment against him in May. Akoijam was associated with the Centre for the Study of Social Systems at JNU’s School of Social Sciences.

Following the complaints, the university’s Internal Committee conducted an inquiry into the allegations. Based on the findings of the inquiry, the committee recommended stringent disciplinary action, after which the JNU administration dismissed Akoijam from service.

Akoijam has denied all the allegations against him. The Delhi High Court’s interim stay on his termination and the trial court’s protection from coercive action are separate judicial orders; the criminal case remains pending.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar