Rehan Khan
Dr. Anand Pawar, Registrar of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, has been suspended amid allegations of sexual harassment, academic and administrative misconduct, and financial irregularities.
The suspension order issued by RGNUL Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jai Shankar Singh, outlines accusations of bigamy, cruelty towards his first wife, violations of post-doctoral regulations, and abuse of authority as Registrar.
In 2014, Pawar’s first wife filed a criminal case under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 accusing him of cruelty. Despite a Madhya Pradesh High Court order dated 2023 barring him from remarrying, Pawar allegedly entered into a second marriage with an Associate Professor at RGNUL, and the couple reportedly resides on the university campus. Additionally, an Assistant Professor accused Pawar of sexual harassment. Dissatisfied with the University’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) decision, she approached the Punjab & Haryana High Court, which ruled in her favor. Justice GS Sandhawalia directed Pawar to pay ₹3 lakh to the complainant.
The order further accuses Pawar of exploiting his roles as Registrar and Officiating Vice-Chancellor during 2020-21 and 2023-24. Allegedly, he manipulated meetings of the RGNUL Finance Committee and Executive Council to secure benefits, including a special allowance, an honorarium, and allocation of the VIP Guest House as his residence. He also reportedly assigned university vehicles for personal use.
In terms of academic misconduct, Pawar is accused of supervising PhD candidates in breach of RGNUL’s regulations, which permit only full-time regular professors to serve as supervisors. He also allegedly transferred research candidates to his second wife, bypassing the consent of their original supervisors.
The suspension order, which takes immediate effect, aims to prevent evidence tampering. It notes that a detailed inquiry is required to investigate additional allegations of financial, administrative, and academic misconduct not explicitly listed.
Citing violations of RGNUL Regulations and the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1966, the order states, “Your conduct is against decency, and morality and involves moral turpitude. Your conduct lacks integrity and is unbecoming to hold such a high office.” Pawar has also been barred from engaging in any employment, business, or vocation or leaving his station without prior written permission.