Delhi High Court Puts JNU’s Dismissal of Congress MP Bimol Akoijam on Hold, Citing Absence of Prior Notice

Interim relief for the Lok Sabha member and professor, as the University is called upon to respond; matter listed for January 2027

(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

New Delhi: 02, November, 2026- The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim protection to Congress Lok Sabha MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, staying the University’s order that had dismissed him from service.

Interim order on the ground of no prior notice

The order was passed by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani. The relief followed the professor’s submission that no notice had been served on him before the University decided to terminate his services.

That is a procedural objection going to the heart of fair process, and it persuaded the Court to suspend the operation of the dismissal for now.

The Court also issued notice to JNU on the petition challenging the termination, directing the University to file its response. The matter will next be heard in January 2027.

Background of the dismissal

According to the case record, JNU dismissed Akoijam from service with immediate effect on October 9. The action followed an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment made by several women students.

Akoijam was attached to the Centre for the Study of Social Systems in JNU’s School of Social Sciences. The University’s internal committee examined the complaints and, on the basis of its findings, recommended a major penalty. The JNU administration then acted on that recommendation and dismissed him.

Professor’s stand

Akoijam has denied the allegations. He has described the proceedings against him as politically motivated and has alleged procedural lapses in how the inquiry and the resulting action were carried out.

Parallel criminal proceedings

Separately from the disciplinary process, Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Akoijam in connection with the same allegations. The investigation is ongoing.

What the stay means

The order is interim in nature and is not a ruling on the merits of the allegations. It only suspends the dismissal while the Court examines the challenge, including the alleged lack of notice. The allegations remain unproven, the criminal investigation continues, and JNU’s response is awaited.