Delhi High Court Issues Notice on Controversial Appointment of ED in Union Bank of India
The Delhi High Court has taken a significant step by issuing a notice concerning a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenges the recent appointment of Pankaj Dwivedi as the Executive Director of Union Bank of India. This development comes in the wake of serious allegations against Dwivedi, including accusations of sexual harassment.
The PIL was filed by a woman who has accused Dwivedi of sexual harassment. She is questioning the validity of his appointment, which was made on March 27 for a three-year term. The notice was issued by a division bench that includes Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
Legal Arguments and Concerns
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who is representing the woman, argued that Dwivedi’s appointment should be reconsidered. According to Bhushan, Dwivedi’s appointment violated regulations due to a lack of proper vigilance clearance. This clearance is crucial for such high-level positions in public sector enterprises like banks.
Bhushan further pointed out that Dwivedi is facing a chargesheet in a sexual harassment case, which raises concerns about the appointment’s legitimacy. He stressed that these issues contravene the standard appointment norms for public sector undertakings.
Background and Allegations
Before joining Union Bank of India, Dwivedi was a General Manager at Punjab & Sind Bank. In 2020, the Supreme Court had intervened to annul a transfer involving the woman who filed the PIL. She had previously reported irregularities and corruption linked to Dwivedi at her branch and alleged that he harassed her in 2018.
The woman had also raised concerns about account maintenance for liquor contractors and accused Dwivedi of corruption. These allegations add another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle over his appointment.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the Central Government’s representative on how Dwivedi could be appointed without the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC clearance). The Court questioned the procedure, highlighting the necessity for vigilance clearance in the current climate, and remarked on the inappropriate nature of the appointment without such clearance.
Accordingly, the court issued notices to the Central Government, CVC, and Pankaj Dwivedi, instructing them to submit their responses. The matter was listed for further hearing on October 4, 2024.
This case highlights the challenges and scrutiny involved in high-level appointments in public sector institutions, especially when they are marred by serious allegations. The outcome of this PIL could have significant implications for both Dwivedi and the Union Bank of India.
