The government has terminated the appointment of Pankaj Dwivedi as Executive Director of Union Bank of India. He directed to return to Punjab & Sind Bank, where he recruited on post of General Manager (GM).
“We want to tell you that the Central Government … cancelled the appointment of Shri Pankaj Dwivedi as Executive Director of Union Bank of India. He ceases to be the Executive Director of the Bank with instant impact,” the bank said.
Delhi High Court Alleged Pankaj Dwivedi ED appointment
In August 2024, the Delhi High Court raised extreme questions about his appointment even with pending chargesheet for sexual harassment. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by women who raise the allegations against him.
The PIL challenged Dwivedi’s appointment because that it allegedly passed mandatory vigilance clearance. The clearance is a key requirement for top-level postings in public sector banks. The petition argued by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who pointed out that appointing an official facing a chargesheet. Without clearance from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), it violate installed norms governing appointments in public sector banks.
Women Raise Sexual Harassment allegations against Pankaj
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela had issued a formal notice in response to the petition. The bench expressed subject over how such an appointment became allowed to proceed in the absence of a smooth vigilance record, highlights the importance of transparency and due diligence in senior public appointments.
Pankaj Dwivedi appointed to the Executive Director post for a three-year time period starting March 27, 2024. The court scrutiny and questions over procedural lapses seem to have led to the swift cancellation of his appointment and reinstatement to his previous role at Punjab & Sind Bank.
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