Nagpur University sends Dhawankar on leave till Jan 7

NAGPUR: Nagpur University’s mass communication department head Dharmesh Dhawankar, who is facing charges of extortion, has been sent on leave till January 7 by vice chancellor Subhash Chaudhari.
NU officials said VC took the action after Maharashtra legislative council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe asked that Dhawankar be suspended till the inquiry against him was not completed.
Chaudhari had earlier rejected the explanation submitted by Dhawankar who was accused by 7 HODs of demanding money. Dhawankar replied to a show case notice much after the deadline had expired. Denying all charges, he termed the allegations a conspiracy to defame him.
Officials said VC had decided to keep him away from the limelight as the Maharashtra Assembly session was to start in city on December 18. Additionally, NU would be hosting Indian Science Congress from January 3 to 7 and VC did not want any controversy till that time.
“If a question is raised in the assembly, Chaudhari will at least have a face-saving answer. The VC is also under pressure to save Dhawankar from a former guardian minister,” said NU sources.
Meanwhile, after the Pravina Khobragade panel, now lawyer Sumit Joshi too, has declined to conduct an inquiry against Dhawankar. In his letter to NU, Joshi said “the HODs had mentioned about Dhawankar demanding Rs 15.50 lakh to settle their complaint with two lawyers on NU panel”. “I am also one of the lawyers on the panel. My findings would always be under the shadow of doubt. Already there are speculations that the NU administration is trying its best to save the accused. Therefore, I have decided to say no,” Joshi told TOI.
The VC has now handed over the probe to retired judge Ajay Chintaman Chafle who was earlier appointed on the university’s grievance redressal cell. He retired as district judge-1 and additional sessions judge at Yavatmal.