JNU terminates professor accused of sexual harassment

At least 10 students had accused the professor of sexual harassment NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday dismissed Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was accused of sexual harassment by at least 10 students, following an inquiry by the university's Internal Committee (IC).An order issued by JNU on October 9 said the committee had investigated the allegations against Akoijam, who taught at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences. Based on the findings of the inquiry, the committee recommended major punishment under the applicable service rules. “Upon following the due process and considering all available facts and as per the report of the Internal Committee (IC), the punishment of dismissal from the services of the University is hereby imposed on Prof. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam,” the order stated.According to an earlier report by TOI, at least 10 students had accused the professor of sexual harassment, with complaints submitted to the university around a month before the report. The allegations included claims that Akoijam, who lives on campus, invited students to his residence for gatherings and made sexual advances towards them.Some complaints also alleged that he made lewd or inappropriate remarks during classes. The allegations reportedly prompted senior students to come forward with similar complaints. A digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.