Manipur Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has filed a ₹45-crore defamation suit against Republic Media Network, its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and others, according to his public announcement and current media reports.
Akoijam announced the legal action on social media on Thursday, stating that he had filed the suit and that his legal team would take further steps over what he described as the misuse of institutions and established norms.
The legal action comes amid allegations reportedly made by 11 JNU students against Akoijam, a professor at the university’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems. The complaints are being examined through JNU’s internal mechanism, and the allegations have not been established as facts. Akoijam has denied the allegations.
Akoijam has previously criticised media coverage of the allegations, describing it as a “media trial” and arguing that the matter should be addressed through due legal and institutional procedures. He has described reports about the allegations as unverified and has maintained that he has nothing to hide.
The Delhi Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought information from JNU regarding the complaints, action taken and measures concerning students’ safety. The allegations remain subject to the relevant institutional process.
