K Chakra Pani
The Punjab and Haryana High Court imposed a cost of ₹1 lakh on the Vice Chancellor (VC) and Registrar of Dr. BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, for unlawfully repatriating the university’s Deputy Registrar, Dr. Veena Singh, back to the Directorate of Secondary Education.
Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya ruled that the decision violated the National Law University Haryana Act, 2012.
Dr. Veena Singh, initially appointed as Principal of the university in 2008, was deputed as Deputy Registrar in 2020. She was later absorbed permanently by the Executive Council (EC). Despite this, the Registrar, with the VC’s approval, repatriated Singh to her parent department in March 2024, leading Singh to challenge the decision in court.
The Court found that the EC’s decision to absorb Singh was never altered, making her a permanent employee. The repatriation order, issued without EC’s involvement, was deemed illegal and beyond the Registrar’s jurisdiction. The Court criticized the VC and Registrar for disregarding statutory provisions and the EC’s authority, ordering them to personally pay ₹50,000 each within two weeks and directed NLU Sonipat to reinstate Singh immediately.
Case Name: Dr. Veena Singh v. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat and Ors
Bench Strength: Single Judge
Judge’s Name: Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya