Congress MP Bimol Akoijam joins Delhi Police probe in JNU sexual harassment case
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Congress MP and sacked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam arrived at the Vasant Kunj North police station in New Delhi on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in response to a police summons in connection with alleged sexual exploitation of students at the university. Akoijam, who was removed from his JNU faculty position amid the controversy, characterised the entire episode as a “political matter.”
What Akoijam Said at the Police Station
Speaking to reporters after arriving for questioning, the Congress MP said he had appeared voluntarily to cooperate with the investigation and did not want his absence to be misconstrued. “I have come to cooperate with the investigation following the Delhi Police’s summons,” he said.
Akoijam also expressed an unmistakable sense of alienation in the capital. “I do not feel a sense of belonging here at all; I am more attached to Manipur now, thanks to what is happening,” he told reporters, adding that he feared misinterpretation of any non-appearance before investigators.
Likening his dismissal from JNU to a decision by a “Khap Panchayat,” he said: “I hope it won’t be repeated here.” He described the episode as a “political matter from the beginning” and invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy: “This is Mahatma Gandhi’s land, Satyamev Jayate!”
The Allegations Against Him
Akoijam faces allegations of sexual harassment filed by 11 female JNU students. He was subsequently sacked from his professorial position at JNU. The Delhi Police summoned him to formally join the investigation. The accused has denied any wrongdoing, framing the charges as politically motivated — a claim critics have dismissed.
BJP Moves Lok Sabha Speaker
Earlier on the same day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and submitted a memorandum demanding stringent action against the Congress MP. The delegation was led by BJP Mahila Morcha National President Rupkumari Choudhary.
Following the meeting, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj told reporters that the delegation had urged the Speaker to take cognisance of the matter and ensure “swift and impartial action without any political interference.” Choudhary also alleged, more broadly, that “everyone has seen how Congress leaders have been mistreating women in recent days.”
Broader Context and What Comes Next
The case has drawn national attention, intersecting questions of campus safety, institutional accountability, and political affiliation. Notably, this is not the first time allegations against academics-turned-politicians have triggered a clash between university administration decisions and parliamentary privilege considerations. The Delhi Police probe is ongoing, and the pace and outcome of the investigation will be closely watched given the political profiles involved. All allegations remain unproven at this stage, and the legal process is expected to determine the facts.