Imphal, 25 September 2026 – Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur and Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has filed a Rs 45-crore defamation suit against Republic TV and its Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami over alleged media trial.
According to information, the civil defamation suit seeking Rs 45 crores in damages was filed on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in response to what the MP termed a malicious and legally actionable campaign targeted at his character.
The lawsuit stems from a series of recent broadcasts aired by the media outlet. The segments detailed internal university grievances using unverified claims and speculative reporting. Dr. Akoijam has vehemently denied the assertions, highlighting that the network engaged in an aggressive media trial designed to bypass due process and influence public opinion dishonorably.
“Media trials are condemned universally,” Dr. Akoijam stated regarding the legal move. “It is highly unethical and illegal to attack an individual’s integrity based on unverified allegations. The courts in India do not permit parallel media trials, even regarding active or registered cases. Those responsible will now face the legal consequences of their broadcasts.”
Publicly addressing the step on social media platforms, the MP noted that this Rs 45-crore suit serves as an initial measure against the deliberate distortion of institutional systems. His legal counsel is reviewing further content for supplementary filings to address the broad extent of the reputational damage caused by the network’s prime-time broadcasts.
The legal team expects the court to issue formal summons to the defendants shortly, seeking a complete accountability review of the editorial standards employed during the segments.
Dr. Akoijam, who is a professor at JNU and was elected as MP from Inner Manipur, has been vocal against media trials in the past as well.
The defamation suit has triggered a fresh debate on media ethics and trial by media.
