Sirsa varsity prof alleges inaction in harassment case
Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, continues to witness internal tensions in its law department. Prof Mukesh Garg has written to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other senior university authorities, raising concerns over the alleged inaction over a departmental inquiry report submitted by retired District and Sessions Judge RP Bhasin.
In his letter, dated April 30, 2025, Prof Garg demanded that the report be reconsidered, and a judicial officer be appointed to conduct a fair inquiry. According to the letter, the matter stems from an FIR filed by Prof Garg and Prof Satyawan Dalal on August 14, 2013, in Sirsa. In the complaint, they accused five faculty members of physical assault and threatening to kill them.
The police had registered a case under sections 323, 506, and 34 of the IPC in this regard.
Although a challan was submitted to the CJM Court, Sirsa, all the accused were reportedly discharged by the court on a benefit of doubt.
The case was also taken up in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where it remains pending.
A departmental inquiry, conducted by Bhasin and submitted in September 2018, reportedly found sufficient ground for the issuance of a regular chargesheet under university rules, citing the importance of academic discipline and institutional integrity.
Garg’s letter alleges that despite the findings of the inquiry, no substantial action was taken by the university.
He claims that Dr Naresh Lata Singla, his wife and an Associate Professor in the law department, faced serious professional setbacks due to alleged misconduct by a fellow professor, including the submission of documents that were either false or misleading.
These documents, as per the complaint, were used to recommend her termination and withhold her salary.
One such instance involved an alleged misrepresentation of internal assessment marks submitted by Dr Singla.
The letter also refers to adverse performance reports filed for three academic sessions without substantial grounds, which were later challenged in court, leading to a stay on her termination.
After a university notification announced an inquiry into indisciplinary activities involving law students, Prof Garg was removed from the post of the law department Chairperson, with Dr Ashok Makkar, Dean of Law, taking additional charge on April 18, 2025.
A two-member committee has been formed, though no deadline has been set. Until the inquiry ends, Prof Garg will not resume his role.
CDLU Registrar Dr Rajesh Bansal said he had received an email in this regard. The case was nearly seven years old, and the departments concerned had been asked to provide detailed information about the points mentioned in the email, he added. Once the complete details are received, action would be taken, he said.
Haryana Tribune