Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday dismissed a professor attached to the institute, named Angmocha Bimol Akoijam, with immediate effect, days after an internal inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, an order issued by the institute on Friday read.

The order, signed by the institute’s Vice-chancellor Santishree D Pandit, read that the university’s Internal Committee (IC) had probed the allegations, and then recommended major punishment against the academician on the basis of the findings.

Akoijam was a professor at the institute’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, at the university.

JNU orders immediate dismissal

As per the university, its authorities landed on the decision after due process was followed and after they kept in view the considerable facts, coupled with the Internal Committee’s report. The order read, “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.”

The institute cited the applicable service rules, including Rule 11 (ix) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, while imposing the punishment. The order confirmed that the dismissal would be effective immediately. It followed the Internal Committee’s recommendation for major disciplinary action after examining the complaints against the professor.

11 students filed complaints against professor

Notably, 11 students enrolled at the university had earlier approached the university’s internal panel, accusing Akoijam of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. The complainants alleged that the professor made lewd remarks during classes, extended unsolicited advances at gatherings and engaged in misconduct during academic interactions. Reportedly, the matter came to light after a student narrated her ordeal pertaining to alleged inappropriate behaviour following viva examinations. After she came forward, other students who had faced similar behaviour stepped forward too, with their own unpleasant experiences.

The allegations formed the basis of the university’s internal inquiry, which culminated in the committee recommending major punishment against the professor.

Professor denies allegations

Meanwhile, Akoijam has consistently denied the allegations, terming them ‘false and motivated.’ The allegations and the professor’s denial remain central to the case, while the institute has cited its inquiry findings as the basis for its decision.