The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Friday, October 12, 2001, Chandigarh, India

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Vigilance case against dept Head
PUTA rivalry to the fore again
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 11
Far from heralding a new beginning on the Punjabi University campus after the capture of the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) by the Pro Vice-Chancellor group, rivalries are out in the open again, with the state government ordering a vigilance inquiry into alleged irregularities committed by the Head of the School of Business Management, Dr K. C. Singhal, during an alumni meeting in 1999.

The registration of an FIR in the Sadar police station by the University Registrar in January, 2000, had acted as a catalyst for PUTA, led by the Teachers United Front (TUF), to launch an open campaign against the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia’s style of functioning. The PUTA had demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIR and opposed the removal of Dr Singhal.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had, however, ordered status quo in the matter and Dr Singhal was reinstated as Head of the department. Following this, the investigation officer of the Sadar police station recommended that the report be filed and cancellation proceedings be initiated in the case on June 30, 2001. Later, Dr Singhal stood for election to the post of President of the TUF group but lost to the rival UTF faction.

Immediately after the election, the Vice-Chancellor, in a press note, said the poll had heralded a new era in the university after a year of conflict. This statement was welcomed by the TUF, which has refrained from criticising the Vice-Chancellor after the election to the new PUTA body and is also cooperating with the UTF faction in the running of PUTA affairs.

The recent registration of a vigilance case against Dr Singhal has shocked the TUF faction.

Dr Singhal, in a letter written to PUTA yesterday, alleged that the vigilance case was registered against him at the behest of the Vice-Chancellor even though he had been cleared of all charges by a police inquiry. Dr Singhal also alleged that Dr Ahluwalia was harassing him because he was a PUTA activist and that the body should intervene and protect him in the case.

Though neither PUTA president nor secretary could be contacted, another office-bearer said a meeting of the PUTA Executive had deliberated on the letter submitted by Dr Singhal. He said it was decided to take up the issue at the next meeting of the Executive and in the meantime Dr Singhal could be asked to prove his allegation that the Vice-Chancellor was pursuing a political vendetta against him.

Sources said Dr Singhal received a letter from the DIG, Vigilance Bureau, Chandigarh, who called him to Chandigarh yesterday with regard to the case. While he already stands charged under Sections 420, 409, 467, 668, 471, 477 (a) and 120 (b) of the IPC, the Vigilance Bureau has added Section 13 (1) (d) read with Section 13 (2) 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Dr Singhal, in his statement to the Vigilance Bureau, claimed that he was being harassed by the Vice-Chancellor because he had raised his voice against the latter’s style of functioning and had stood for election to the post of PUTA president.

Dr Singhal has been accused of wrongdoings during the conduct of a varsity alumni meeting in October, 1999. He has been accused of committing illegalities in maintaining accounts of the meet, procedural lapses and embezzlement. Specific charges include getting advertisements from six firms which were not included in the accounts, making duplicate receipts and employing a caterer who was not authorised by the varsity.

The Vice-Chancellor, when contacted, said reference had already been sent to the Vigilance Department in the case. He said that subsequently the Syndicate had decided to lodge an FIR.