FIR on sacked JNU professor: BJP questions Rahul Gandhi's 'silence'

Delhi Police on Sunday registered an FIR against Inner Manipur Congress MP and former JNU professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in a sexual harassment case.

The case was registered at Vasant Kunj North police station following a complaint from the JNU chief security officer two days after the university dismissed Akoijam from service. His sacking followed an internal committee probe into complaints of sexual misconduct filed by 11 students.

The FIR invoked BNS sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 dealing with sexual harassment, including unwelcome physical contact, advances, explicit sexual overtures and acts intended to insult or intrude upon a woman's privacy. If convicted, Akoijam may face a jail term of up to three years.

The BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday staged a rally in front of the Congress headquarters in Delhi, accusing Rahul Gandhi of shielding Akoijam. The protesters also burnt effigies of Rahul and Akoijam.

Holding a placard, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj questioned Congress leaders, including Rahul, for maintaining silence on the issue.

She asked Rahul whether "Smash the Patriarchy" was a mere political rhetoric for him, daring him to take action against Akoijam.

“Rahul Gandhi’s close aide, Congress MP Angomcha Bimol, faces nine sexual harassment allegations involving 11 female students. Yet the 'self-proclaimed champion of women's rights' has taken no action. For Rahul, women's rights are mere slogans. Power and foreign trips are the only priority. #SmashTheHypocrisyRaGa,” the BJP posted on X on Monday.

Akoijam has dismissed the charges as “malicious and fabricated” while asserting his intent to seek legal recourse against his dismissal from service through an order signed by JNU vice-chancellor Santishree D. Pandit on Friday.

“Despite my witnesses having given their depositions on 14 August, 2026, VC of JNU tells a blatant lie saying that I have not produced any witness! And IC (internal committee) had written 43 mails, which I had responded to. And VC says on media, IC/JNU had written 300 mails! Shame! I had responded my written response to the allegations on 31 May 2026 and my deposition on 16 July 2026, and yet VC says I didn't co-operate!” Akoijam posted on X on Sunday night, adding that his team of lawyers would take care of the matter.