Patiala law university Registrar suspended

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) Vice-Chancellor Jai Shankar Singh on Wednesday suspended Registrar Anand Pawar for financial irregularities, besides misuse of his power and position.

The action came following an inquiry. The report, the copy of which is with The Tribune, states that in 2023 and 2024, Pawar undertook the task of supervising PhD candidates.

“As per RGNUL regulations, supervisor of a post-doctoral research candidate shall be a professor with a doctoral degree and experience of guiding at least five researchers,” stated the report. Pawar was the Registrar and not a professor, therefore he was not entitled to act as researchers’ supervisor. Pawar was not available for comments.

The inquiry report states that he held the officiating charge of the Vice-Chancellor’s post from February 27, 2023, to March 27, 2024. During that period, he favoured his second wife, an associate professor at the university. The report mentions that there were also complaints of sexual harassment against him. Moreover, he solemnised the second marriage with an associate professor in the university, while his matrimonial litigation with the first wife was still pending in the court.

Pawar has been asked to mark attendance at the office of Dean (Academic) during the suspension period.