NIPER Mohali, established as an institution of national importance to advance pharmaceutical education and research, has gained an unusual reputation. While its contributions to medicine remain uncertain, it holds the unique distinction of having nearly one-third of its employees involved in legal disputes.
Dr. Raghuram Rao Akkinepally, during his tenure as Director, sought to improve the Happiness Quotient of employees by introducing a Rapid Grievance Redressal Committee (RGRC). However, his efforts were obstructed by Dr. V. M. Katoch, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Mr. Rajneesh Tingal, Joint Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals. Most Board members acted as mere rubber stamps, except Dr. M. R. Doreswamy, Chancellor of PES University, who opposed Dr. Katoch’s actions.
During a Board meeting, when Dr. Akkinepally raised concerns about the alarming number of employees embroiled in court cases, Board member Dr. Anil K. Gupta from IIM Ahmedabad dismissively responded, “So what? If somebody wants to go to court, let them go.”
A review of NIPER Mohali’s legal records reveals numerous lawsuits involving both former and current employees.
• Dr. K. K. Bhutani, a former Director, went to court after his tenure was not extended at the age of 65. Holding a grudge against Dr. Akkinepally, he challenged the latter’s appointment but passed away before the case proceeded. His name also appeared in a CBI FIR.
• Dr. P. Rama Rao, a predecessor of Dr. Bhutani, was similarly named in a CBI case (CLO 01 2020).
• Mr. PJP Singh Waraich, recruited by Dr. Bhutani, had his appointment quashed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court within months. However, he obtained a stay order from the Division Bench. Subsequently, he retaliated against those who had challenged his appointment, leading to the termination of Dr. Nilanjan Roy, Dr. Parikshit Bansal, and Dr. Neeraj Kumar. Their legal battles continued, though without relief.
• Dr. Neeraj Kumar’s case (LPA-1067-2015) persists, as his termination was based on a questionable inquiry. RGRC later found the penalty disproportionate and attributed it to the vindictiveness of Mr. Waraich.
• Dr. Parikshit Bansal contested the CBI’s closure of a case against nine NIPER employees, arguing that the investigation was superficial. Capt. Kshitij Sharma, possessing additional evidence, was denied participation in the legal proceedings.
Mr. Waraich, who rejoined NIPER in 2023 after a suspension, has filed another case (CWP-1676-2024) challenging salary re-determination after 12 years. Having taken voluntary retirement from the Indian Air Force, he joined NIPER with no working experience in research domain, drawing both a pension from the Air Force and a full salary from NIPER—an issue flagged from the start. Now, as he fights his own legal battles, he appears to be “tasting his own medicine.”
Four senior professors—Dr. K. K. Bhutani, Dr. Prati Pal Singh, Dr. Asit K. Chakraborti, and Dr. K. P. R. Kartha—approached the High Court over the lack of clarity on retirement age at NIPER Mohali. Unlike other higher education institutions where the retirement age was 65, NIPER failed to amend its Act or statutes. Their legal action was a direct result of administrative inaction under Mr. Waraich.
Several employees challenged NIPER’s regularization process in court (CWP-9663-2017). Meanwhile, Dr. Dipika Bansal, Associate Professor and Head of the Pharmacy Practice Department, filed a case (CWP-18983-2024) seeking promotion to Professor. While her initial regularization was unquestioned, objections were suddenly raised against her rightful promotion.
Dr. Akkinepally sought to minimize lawsuits through RGRC, which deemed the removal of Capt. Kshitij Sharma unjust. However, reinstating him provoked hostility from Dr. Katoch and a few Board members who conducted meetings without proper quorum—often with just 5-6 out of 23 members listed in the NIPER Act.
Capt. Sharma also exposed flaws in the CBI inquiry, filing CRM-M 21409-2023. The CBI admitted in court that its findings had been submitted to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which failed to act as its own officials were implicated. He later filed another case (CWP-2877-2020) when NIPER attempted to recover wages for the period he served post-reinstatement. The High Court blocked the recovery and allowed him to stay on campus.
After Dr. Akkinepally was removed from the Director’s post, Dr. Dulal Panda was appointed, bypassing established norms. With no other recourse, Dr. Akkinepally challenged Dr. Panda’s selection in court.
Despite Dr. Akkinepally’s efforts to introduce a “Happiness Index”—which would have made NIPER Mohali the first institution to adopt such a measure—his tenure ended amid continued turmoil. The institution remains entangled in legal disputes, overshadowing its academic and research contributions.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/scientific-misconduct-and-plagiarism-at-niper-mohali-a-culture-of-impunity/
