RGNUL Registrar Suspended Over Allegations Of Sexual Harassment & Financial Irregularities

The Registrar of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala Dr. Anand Pawar has been suspended over allegations of sexual harassment, academic and administrative misconduct and financial irregularities.

It is stated in the suspension order that his wife has levelled allegation of cruelty and the matter is pending in the Court. The 11 page order also states that an assistant professor had complained of sexual harassment in the University and Internal Complaint Committee was constituted and being aggrieved by the order, plea was filed in the Punjab & Haryana High Court. The High Court passed a favourable order and directed Pawar to pay the complainant a sum of Rs. 3 lakh.

Pawar is also facing allegations financial irregularity and abuse of official position by drawing personal benefits and misuse of University resources when he was holding the posts of the Registrar and the Officiating Vice-Chancellor of the University.

It was further revealed that Pawar was drawing the salary of the Vice-Chancellor when he was appointed as "officiating Vice-Chancellor". This amounts to financial irregularities, the suspension order added.

The order stated that while was Pawar holding the post of officiating Vice-Chancellor from 27-02-2023 to 27-03-2024 he indulged in the practice of transferring research candidates to his second wife, teaching in the university without the consent of the previous supervisor.

"Your conduct is against decency, and morality and involves moral turpitude. Your conduct lacks integrity and is unbecoming to hold such a high office," read the order while stating that Pawar has violated the RGNUL Regulations and the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1966.