IIM Rohtak chief moves Punjab and Haryana HC, seeks quashing of probe, long leave orders
On March 7, President Droupadi Murmu, in her capacity as Visitor of the IIMs, had launched an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at IIM Rohtak.
3 min read
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak Director, Dr Dheeraj Sharma, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking quashing of the orders dated March 5 and March 13, 2025, which directed an inquiry against him and placed him on long leave pending investigation.
On March 7, President Droupadi Murmu, in her capacity as Visitor of the IIMs, had launched an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at IIM Rohtak. Dr Sharma, through Senior Advocate Chetan Mittal, argued before the hugh court that the inquiry orders were “illegal, arbitrary, and beyond jurisdiction,” aimed solely at harassing and humiliating him.
It was further submitted by Dr Sharma’s counsel that he was appointed as IIM Rohtak Director in 2017 after being nominated by an eminent jurist and selected by a Search-cum-Selection Committee. He terminated two contractual faculty members for non-performance, after which complaints were filed against him by their spouses. These complaints led to multiple RTI queries and a subsequent writ petition challenging his appointment, contended Dr Sharma’s counsel.
A show-cause notice was issued to Dr Sharma over the non-submission of his Bachelor’s degree. He challenged this in court, and the High Court granted him interim protection in April 2022, which was later extended in February 2025.
Despite this protection, the government issued an inquiry order on March 5, 2025, citing financial irregularities and non-submission of academic credentials. A second order on March 13, 2025, directed Dr Sharma to vacate the IIM Rohtak campus.
On Wednesday, Dr Sharma’s counsel argued before HC that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the institute’s internal auditors had already examined the financial records and found no wrongdoing. The counsel further pointed out that Section (10A) of the IIM Act, which was used to order the inquiry, came into force on August 16, 2023, and could not be applied retrospectively to events before that date.
Meanwhile, appearing for Union of India, Additional Solicitor General, Satya Pal Jain argued that the Visitor of the institute (IIM Rohtak) has the right to mark an inquiry any number of times and with the inquiry is valid, it is not going to prejudice the rights of the petitioner. The High Court bench of Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj heard the arguments and adjourned the matter for further hearing on Thursday.
You May Like
