RGNUL Patiala suspends registrar for alleged 'bigamy', 'moral turpitude', other violations

NEW DELHI: The registrar of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, Anand Pawar, has been suspended over allegations of harassment, academic and administrative misconduct and financial irregularities.

“Prof. (Dr.) Anand Pawar has been suspended with immediate effect based on various allegations including bigamy, moral turpitude, harassment, financial administrative and academic misconduct,” the official suspension notice read.

According to a report by Bar and Bench , in 2014, Pawar's first wife filed a criminal case against him for cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. As a result, the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an order in 2023 prohibiting Pawar from remarrying. However, it has been reported that he entered into a second marriage with an associate professor at RGNUL.

The report further indicates that Pawar misused his positions as registrar and officiating vice-chancellor during the periods of 2020-21 and 2023-24. He allegedly allotted assets and benefits to himself by proposing agenda items in the RGNUL finance committee and executive council meetings that were advantageous to him.

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The Bar and Bench further reported that during his tenure as registrar at RGNUL, Pawar supervised PhD candidates in violation of the university’s PhD regulations, which allow only regular professors or full-time faculty members to act as supervisors.

A few months ago, RGNUL witnessed a protest demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor, Jai Shankar Singh, for allegedly “violating” the privacy of female students during a surprise inspection of the girls' hostel. Several students at RGNUL went on a hunger strike and boycotted all classes till the vice chancellor stepped down from his position.