NIPER BOG Notified............... Withdrawn................

Notice to CBI fro NIPER Report

नाइपर भ्रष्टाचार मामला: जांच की स्टेटस रिपोर्ट तलब, CBI को नोटिस जारी

ब्यूरो/अमर उजाला, चंडीगढ़ Updated Mon, 28 Nov 2016 08:45 PM IST

नेशनल इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ फार्मास्यूटिकल एजुकेशन एंड रिसर्च के वैज्ञानिक परीक्षित बंसल की ओर से भ्रष्टाचार मामले की सीबीआई जांच की धीमी गति को लेकर दाखिल याचिका पर सुनवाई करते हुए पंजाब-हरियाणा हाईकोर्ट ने सीबीआई को नोटिस जारी करते हुए जांच की स्टेटस रिपोर्ट तलब की है।

याचिका में बताया गया कि उन्होंने 2012 में हाईकोर्ट में याचिका दाखिल कर नाइपर में शिक्षा व शोध के लिए आने वाले फंड में घोटाले की बात कहते हुए जांच की अपील की थी। हाईकोर्ट के आदेशों के बाद इस मामले में सीबीआई ने नाइपर के दो निदेशक डॉ. पी रामाराव व डॉ. केके भुटानी को आरोपी बनाते हुए जांच आरंभ की थी। इसके बाद फंड के इस्तेमाल में अनियमितताओं की बात सामने आने पर 14 जनवरी को नाइपर के उच्च अधिकारियों के खिलाफ एफआईआर दर्ज की गई थी।

इसके साथ ही इन अधिकारियों के घर पर छापेमारी कर रिकवरी की गई थी। याची ने कहा कि इसकेबाद से ही सीबीआई की जांच धीमी है और ऐसे में हाईकोर्ट सीबीआई से जांच की स्टेटस रिपोर्ट तलब करे और सीबीआई को जांच पूरी करने के आदेश जारी करे। हाईकोर्ट ने याची पक्ष को सुनने के बाद सीबीआई को नोटिस जारी कर अगली सुनवाई पर जवाब दाखिल करने के आदेश दिए हैं।

NIPER in NEWS

DEATH IN NIPER POOL; Kin allege police inaction, want CBI inquiry

Mohali, November 14 Tribune News Service

Around two months after a 40-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) at Sector 67 here, family members of the deceased alleged police inaction in the case. They also demanded that the NIPER authorities should also be made a party in the case. Saroj Bagga, wife of the deceased Sunil Bagga, alleged that after two months of the incident, there was no development in the case. “The accused are roaming free and nothing has been done against the NIPER authorities in this regard,” said Saroj. She alleged that her husband had drowned due to sheer negligence and improper infrastructure at the pool. Sunil Bagga, a manager with Ola Cabs and a resident of Phase XI, had drowned in the pool on September 11 when he went there, along with his six-year-old son, Ishit, for swimming. The police had booked two persons, Davinder Lamba, a Delhi-based contractor, who has been given the pool on a contract basis and his manager-cum-trainer, Rajiv, under Section 304A of the IPC (death due to negligence) at the Phase XI Police Station, here on the complaint of Saroj Bagga. The police claimed that they had recorded the statements of the contractor’s staff and other authorities concerned at the NIPER. The deceased’s viscera report is still be awaited. Wing Commander PJP Singh Waraich (retd), registrar at NIPER, said the pool had been closed since the incident occurred. “The police have recorded our statements. As per the clause of the contract, the entire responsibility of the pool is lying with the contractor,” said the Registrar. The family also demanded CBI inquiry into the case.

PRESS BRIEFING 14^th Nov 2016, Mohali

REGARDING SUNIL BAGGA (DECEASED NIPER SWIMMING POOL 11-SEP-2016)

1. The press conference has been called for drawing attention of relevant authorities on the incident happened at NIPER swimming pool on 11^th Sep 2016.
2. To refresh our memories – My husband Mr. Sunil Baggadied via drowning at NIPER swimming pool at 815 AM Sunday 11^th Sep 2016. His post mortem report confirmed death by drowning. We blame the authorities including NIPER Management and NIPER pool contractor are to be held responsible for the unfortunate incident.The same has been mentioned in the FIR.
3. As per eye-witnesses and people who brought him to the hospital
   1. There were absolutely no life-saving arrangements at the swimming pool
   2. Swimming pool attendants responded very late to the calls for help. Nobody seemed to be trained on life saving techniques.
   3. Ishat (6-Year old son), who was with Sunil at the time of incident, created some noise desperately but no prompt help was provided.
   4. There was no administration of CPR at the pool which could have saved Sunil’s life
   5. There was no vehicle available at the pool to transport Sunil to the nearby hospital. Sunil was moved to the hospital in a member’s car.
   6. This whole process took more than half an hour and by the time Sunil reached Silver Oaks hospital (which is less than 1 km from NIPER) was dead.
   7. Immediately after the incident, the NIPER pool staff was busy filling up the oxygen cylinders (Photographs available).
4. We would like to comment on the investigation aspect of this case –
   1. Today is 14^th Nov. More than 60 days have passed. Not even a single person from Police or NIPER has come to meet us to take our statements or offer help of any kind. What kind of an investigation is this wherein the key witnesses and people are not even asked once about the incident?
   2. We named NIPER management in the statement but only contractors are mentioned in the accused category. We demand NIPER management to be made party to the accused as they fail to enforce or audit the terms and conditions of the contract with the contractor.
   3. We checked with all the other eye-witnesses at the time of incident, no one has been quizzed by Police as yet.
   4. NIPER is such a reputed institution of the country. They get paid through the taxes we deposit. Don’t they have any humanitarian ground to come and talk to us and offer condolences at a minimum.
   5. Even after the incident, NIPER contractor was willing to reopen the pool after two days. It was only after the citizen’s protest that the pool couldn’t open. 
5. As a result of this incident, our lives are shattered.
   1. We have no source of income at this point of time
   2. We don’t have very strong financial background
   3. We have to shift house as we can’t afford the rent anymore
   4. Father-in-law has gone through a major surgery few months back
   5. Children education is suffering as there’s no one to take responsibility and they may not be able to continue.
6. Through some very reliable sources, we have come to understand the following –
   1. NIPER residents and other regular members have complained to the pool authorities about the safety aspects time to time but to no avail.
   2. A letter was issued by Chief Security office to the pool contractor on 03^rd June 2015 about following terms of the contract clearly mentioning concerns about safety/security aspects, additional construction, tampering with the meters, deposit of the money etc.
   3. One member,Mr. KapilDev Sharma, wrote an email to the NIPER authorities on 09^th October 2015 complaining about the dirty water. A comprehensive report was subsequently filed by Chief Maintenance Engineer on investigation. The report clearly mentioned violation of almost all key terms of the contract by the contractor as asked in the letter mentioned above on 03^rd June.
   4. It was also suggested by CME that contract should to be terminated if contractor is not following the terms. Contrary to CME suggestion, Pool’s contract was actually renewed for 2016 as well. Situation remain the same in current season too.
   5. It will be pertinent to mention that immediately after the incident, pool staff was shown filling up the oxygen cylinders – photo was duly published in media on 12^th Sep.
   6. We’re in possession of another NIPER internal reportwhich hints that NIPER management seems to believe everything is fine at the swimming pool and hinting that pool should not be held responsible for Sunil’s death.
   7. We have talked with many people who have enrolled for the pool but don’t use it for fear of lack of safety options and other health hazards.
7. Given the evidence we have and our personal experiences, I have little faith that investigation will be done properly in the current context. There seems to be deliberate attempt to let this incident fade away and evidences get diluted.
8. Common citizen lives matter. If a death and shattered lives can’t be enough for the NIPER and police authorities then what will? I just wonder. NIPER gets its funds from the tax we pay to the government – right? Somebody dies in NIPER campus and they seem to be siding with the accused party for which sufficient evidence exist of malpractices. How many deaths it will take for the NIPER management for wake up.  I want CBI enquiry into it.
   
   

SarojBagga (Wife) / IshatBagga(Age 6) / PrachiBagga (14)

Illegal constitution of Senate NIPER by Dr. KK Bhutani whose nomination in BOG is stayed.

Dated: 04.11.2016

To,

Dr. V.M. Katoch,

Chairman, BOG NIPER-Mohali.

CC: BOG Members, Authorities from Department of Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi and other relevant persons.

Dear Sir,

It is brought to your notice that Dr. KK Bhutani (Off. Director) And Mr. PJP Singh Warraich are misusing official positions and are indulged in huge corruption at NIPER-Mohali. For that, they are main accused along with their associates in CBI FIR no. RCCHG2016A0005 dated 14.01.2016. Recently, their nomination in BOG NIPER-Mohali is stayed by Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court vide order dated 27.10.2016 in CWP-22655/2016. The relevant text of the order is reproduced as below:

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Notice of motion for 01.02.2017. 

 

Operation of Annexure P-4 insofar as nomination at Item No.2- Professor K.K.Bhutani, Item No. 11-Representative of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Item No. 21 Wing Commander PJP Singh Waraich as Secretary, are stayed till the next date of hearing. 

                                                           ( P.B.BAJANTHRI) 

27.10.2016                                                         JUDGE  

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just now, I came to know that even after the stay order of Hon'ble High Court, Dr. Bhutani is further planning to constitute the Senate-NIPER in illegal manner which needs the nomination of three persons by the BOG in consultation with director during the BOG meeting. The relevant rule position in NIPER Act and Statute are given below:

As per NIPER Act clause 13(d) [also in NIPER statute clause 3.2.1(c)]:

13 (d) three persons, not being employees of the institute, to be nominated by the Chairperson in consultation with the Director, from among educationist of repute, one each from the fields of science, engineering and humanities and one of them shall be either from the Scheduled Castes or from the Scheduled Tribes; and

 

Thus Chairperson (who is the chairperson in BOG meeting) has to nominate above three persons in consultation with Director NIPER during the meeting. However Dr. KK Bhutani is stayed from BOG, NIPER, thus it won't be possible to constitute the Senate, NIPER till these two tainted persons are there in Institute or there is a revoke of the stay order. 

In pendency of the decision of Hon'ble High Court in CWP-22655/2016, any constitution of Senate in NIPER will be illegal and will amount to the contempt of the court order dated 27.10.2016. 

I am sending this information to all nominated Hon'ble members of BOG, NIPER-Mohali, Officials of Department of Pharmaceuticals and relevant persons in the same. It is important to mention here that the officials also constituted the Senate earlier in 2011 in violation of NIPER Act/Statutes and Hon'ble High Court Has quashed/ordered dated 04.11.2012 in CWP-18789/2011 to renotify the Senate as per NIPER Act/Statues and their appeal was also dismissed by Hon'ble Division Bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court (I was the petitioner in this application). 

Sincerely,

SD/-

Dr. Neeraj Kumar (Ex-Faculty & Ex-Member of Senate, NIPER)

H.N. 2311, Phase-X, Mohali-160064.

Phone: 93xxxxxx15

BOG meeting held at NIPER Mohali on 1st Nov 2016

From: "n rewa" <nrewa2015@gmail.com>
Date: Nov 1, 2016 1:29 PM
Subject: Fwd: a picture for you
To: "anang.........................
Cc:

Dear friends,

Inspite of court stay order on the participation of Dr KK Bhutani Off. Director) and Mr PJP Singh Waraich (Registrar, NIPER)  today it has been seen that BOG meeting has been conducted at NIPER, Mohali.

It can be confirmed by BOG Chairman Dr. VM katoch Ph:99xxxxxx01

Or the other BOG menber Prof R S Verma::94xxxxxx61

It amounts to the contempt of Court if it so.(The Interim order is attached herewith)

On bejalf of NREWA a letter (along with Court order, CBI FIR, New Paper Cuttings and forged list of BOG ) is given to BOG member which is also attached herewith.Whereas attempt was made by security of NIPER to stop it.

Regards

President

NREWA,

NIPER, Mohali

 

 

नाइपर के निदेशक और रजिस्ट्रार के नॉमिनेशन पर रोक, नोटिस जारी

ब्यूरो/अमर उजाला, मोहाली Updated Fri, 28 Oct 2016 09:57 PM IST

 

मोहाली स्थित नेशनल इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ फार्मास्युटिकल एजुकेशन एंड रिसर्च (नाइपर) में निदेशक डॉ. केके भूटानी और रजिस्ट्रार विंग कमांडर पीजेपी सिंह बड़ैच के नॉमिनेशन के खिलाफ पंजाब-हरियाणा हाईकोर्ट में दायर याचिका पर सुनवाई करते हुए जस्टिस पीबी बजंतरी ने दोनों के नॉमिनेशन पर रोक लगाते हुए केंद्र सरकार, नाइपर, डॉ. भूटानी और बड़ैच को एक फरवरी, 2017 के लिए नोटिस जारी किया है।

नाइपर इंप्लाइज वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन की ओर से दायर याचिका में कहा गया है कि नाइपर एक्ट-1998 के सेक्शन-4 के अनुसार, डॉ. भूटानी और बड़ैच का बोर्ड ऑफ गवर्नर्स में नॉमिनेशन नहीं किया जा सकता। इसके अलावा तय प्रावधानों के तहत नाइपर के बोर्ड ऑफ गवर्नर्स में फार्मेसी कॉउंसिल ऑफ इंडिया के सदस्य को भी नामांकित नहीं किया जा सकता। याचिका में आरोप लगाया गया है कि इसके खिलाफ भी अदालत में केस चल रहा है और अदालत ने उस पर रोक लगा रखी है।

याचिकाकर्ता एसोसिएशन के अनुसार, बोर्ड ऑफ गवर्नर्स में लोकसभा के दो और राज्यसभा के एक सांसद का भी नामांकन किया जाना चाहिए, जबकि एक भी सांसद का अभी तक नामांकन नहीं किया गया है। याचिकाकर्ता एसोसिएशन की ओर से हाईकोर्ट को यह भी बताया गया कि भ्रष्टाचार के मामले में डॉ. भूटानी के खिलाफ सीबीआई जांच कर रही है जबकि बड़ैच का नाइपर में पांच वर्ष का कॉन्ट्रेक्ट भी जुलाई में समाप्त हो चुका है। हाईकोर्ट को यह भी बताया गया कि नाइपर के बोर्ड ऑफ गवर्नर्स में नाइपर का निदेशक पदेन सदस्य होता है। यह सदस्यता पद के आधार पर दी जाती है, किसी व्यक्ति विशेष के नाम के आधार पर नहीं। हाईकोर्ट ने डॉ. भूटानी व बड़ैच के नामांकन पर रोक लगाते हुए प्रतिवादी पक्षों को नोटिस जारी कर दिया है।

NIPER in NEWS

CBI FIR

Dear,
Please upload the attached copy of FIR registered by CBI against NIPER Mohali Officials on your portal 'biped against corruption'. I wish to share that information provided on the BIPED portal played a critical role in helping to nail the culprits through ready availability of documents and evidence.

The blog was repeatedly accessed by the CBI officials during inquiry. Your bold effort in highlighting corruption through this blog has contributed towards 'cleaning academia' and contributing towards academic excellence. Please feel to reproduce my email on the portal if you feel so.

I also accept full responsibility for this disclosure and indemnify you against any action relating to disclosure of FIR on your blog. 

Jai Hind!

Best wishes,

Dr. Parikshit Bansal

M.Sc. (Biochemistry) Ph.D, LLB 

Ex-Faculty (IPR), NIPER, Mohali

Chairperson, Centre for Academic Excellence (CFAEE)

Yet another Case:-- NIPER BOG Illigal

CWP-22655-2016

 

NIPER RESEARCH EMPLOYEES WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND ANOTHER

VS

UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

Present:Mr. K.K.Gupta, Advocate for the petitioners.

***

Petitioner has questioned the validity of Annexure P-4 dated 06.10.2016 of Board of Governors (BOG), NIPER, SAS Nagar, Mohali. In the instant writ petition, petitioner has not arrayed the persons likely to be affected if Annexure P-4 is set aside.

 

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that he would restrict his prayer challenged to Annexure P-4 insofar as Item No. 2, 11 and 21. The petitioner is permitted to implead names of the persons which are reflected at Item No. 2 and 21 during the course of day. Appointing as member ex-officio and member at Item Nos. 2, 11 and 21 are contrary to Section 13 of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998.

Notice of motion for 01.02.2017.

Operation of Annexure P-4 insofar as nomination at Item No.2-Professor K.K.Bhutani, Item No. 11-Representative of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Item No. 21 Wing Commander PJP Singh Waraich as Secretary, are stayed till the next date of hearing.

( P.B.BAJANTHRI)

JUDGE

27.10.2016

pooja saini

Lamba has been given the contract of running the pool by the NIPER management.

Mohali, September 12 The local police today arrested Rajiv Kumar for negligence in connection with the death of Ola Cabs manager Sunil Bagga (40) in a swimming pool at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) at Sector 67 here. The incident occurred yesterday morning when Bagga drowned while swimming. As kin accused the pool staff of negligence in the matter, the police booked Davinder Lamba, a Gurgaon-based private contractor, and his trainer-cum-manager Rajiv Kumar under Section 304-A of the IPC at the Phase XI police station here.

While Rajiv Kumar has been arrested, Davinder Lamba is still at large. Confirming the development, Inspector Navin Pal Singh Lehal, SHO, said  “We have arrested Rajiv Kumar, soon teams would be sent to Gurgaon to nab Lamba.

Man drowns in NIPER pool

A 40-YEAR-OLD man drowned in a swimming pool inside the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Sunday.

The police identified the deceased as Sunil Bagga, a resident of Phase 11. The incident took place in Sunday around 7.30 am when Bagga swam into the deep end. Bagga was working as a manager with Ola Cabs. He had recently started swimming only recently.

The police have booked two persons, the contractor and his manager, for negligence after people present at the spot claimed that the contractor had not made any safety arrangements. The oxygen cylinder was also found empty at the time of the incident, said the police.

The NIPER management leased out the swimming pool to a Davinder Lamba, a private contractor and a Delhi resident, a few years ago. The police said it was also the responsibility of the NIPER management to keep a check that whether the private contractor is following the safety norms or not.

According to eyewitnesses, Bagga’s son was also inside the pool when incident took place. The boy raised an alarm when he saw his father struggling to come out of the water. There was no guard present nearby and by the time a guard arrived, it was too late.

Bagga was brought out of the pool and the guard tried to give him Oxygen but the cylinder was empty. Later, Bagga was taken to a nearby private hospital where he was declared dead by doctors.

Nirbhay, a family member of Bagga, alleged that the manager of the contractor earlier tried to wash his hands of the matter by saying Bagga was died due to cardiac arrest but later doctors confirmed that he was died as water entered his lungs. He also alleged that there were no safety arrangements at the pool.

Bagga’s body was sent to the mortuary at civil hospital in Phase VI and will be handed over to the family after the post-mortem.

NIPER Registrar P J P Singh Waraich was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and text messages.

Acting director of NIPER, Dr K K Bhutani, said he was out of station and that he was unaware of the incident. He, however, added that action would be against the contractor and that the contract would be scrapped Monday.

Sources in NIPER said the contractor had not followed the safety norms and there was no doctor present at the time of the incident. The sources said that in the past, the NIPER management had also issued a strict warning to the contractor but he had ignored it.

Naveen Pal Singh Lehal, Station House Officer (SHO) of Phase XI, said a case had been registered against the contractor Davinder Lambha and his manager Rajeev Kumar, who is a caretaker of the swimming pool under sections 304 A (death due to negligence). He added that both would be arrested soon.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/man-drowns-in-swimming-pool-in-mohali-contractor-booked/

YAC: Youth Against Corruption

Youth Against Corruption (YAC)

CVC and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India fails to remove NIPER, Mohali Officiating Director and Registrar inspite of CBI FIR - Whistleblower Scientists Victimized

Premier institute of pharmaceutical education and research in the country, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali (Punjab) has been hijacked by vested interests, according to Mr. Jitender Chhatter, National President, Youth Against Corruption- a united forum of students, teachers and whistleblowers against corruption . In a joint press conference addressed by Mr. Chhatter and several NIPER Whistleblowers, Mr. Chatter revealed the following facts relating to corruption at NIPER, Mohali:

1. Misappropriation of crores of funds released to NIPER, Mohali led to failure of research projects approved in national interest and harming career interests of students due to Crores of funds released to NIPER under 11^th and 12^th Five Year Plans were misappropriated by the NIPER Directors and Professors leading to failure of projects approved in national interest and also harming career interests of students.
2. Not a single officials removed by Ministry despite registration of FIR by name against several NIPER Officials: The Officials of NIPER, Mohali against whom CBI has registered FIR No. RCCHG2016A0005 dated 14-1-2016 on criminal charges under IPC sections 420 (Cheating); 409 (Criminal Breach of Trust); 467 (Forgery); 471 (using as genuine a forged record) and Section 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act (Criminal misconduct by public servant) are:

1. Dr. P.Rama Rao , Ex-Director and currently working as Dean, Central University of Punjab, Bhatinda, Punjab
2. Dr. K.K.Bhutani, Professor of Natural Products Department, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
3. Dr. Saranjit Singh, Professor of Pharmaceutical Analysis, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
4. Mr. PJP Singh Warraich, Registrar and CVO, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
5. Mr. M. Jose, Finance and Accounts Officer, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
6. Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Ex- Deputy Registrar, Finance &Accounts, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
7. Mr. Hardeep Singh, Ex- Section Officer (Budget), NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
8. Mr. Rajesh Moza, Ex-Deputy Registrar, Academic &Examination, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab.
   Unknown officials of NIPER, Mohali and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

3. Failure of CVC to enforce its own rule regarding immediate suspension of officials against whom FIR is registered: Relevant rule position in the Central Vigilance Commission Manual (http://cvc.nic.in/vigman/chapterv.pdf) is reproduced below:

“2. When a Government servant may be suspended.

2.1. A Government servant may be placed under suspension when a disciplinary proceeding against him is contemplated or is pending or where, in the opinion of the competent authority, he has engaged himself in activities prejudicial to the interest of the security of the State or when a case against him in respect of any criminal offence is under investigation, enquiry or trial.

4. Whistleblowers victimized: Employees who raised their voice were badly victimized, humiliated and removed from service. Ministry now silent and not taking action against Bhutani, Warraich and other Professors

List of NIPER Whistleblowers is as below:

i. Dr. Nilanjan Roy, Head, Biotechnology: Exposed large scale corruption at NIPER and uploaded copies of documents on his blog ‘biped-against-corruption’. Service terminated in 2012 by Dr. K.K.Bhutani and appeal in High Court dismissed on technical grounds. Currently serving as Director, ARIBAS, Ahmedabad and still running the blog.

ii. Dr. Neeraj Kumar, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutics: Challenged illegal appointment of Registrar, Mr. PJP Singh Warraich which was subsequently quashed by High Court. Also raised his voice against diversion of funds. Actively exposed corruption through RTI. Service terminated in 2013 by Dr. K.K.Bhutani. Promotion held up. Currently fighting his case in High Court for re-instatement.

iii. Dr. Parikshit Bansal, Asst. Professor (Intellectual Property Rights): Raised his voice against diversion of funds relating to setting up of IPR Department at NIPER. Filed complaints to CVC against Dr. P. Rama Rao and Dr. K.K. Bhutani and also moved High Court in 2012 for ordering CBI inquiry into diversion of funds at NIPER, Mohali. Service terminated in 2013 by Dr. K.K.Bhutani who submitted false and misleading information to the NIPER Board of Governors. Appeal for re-instatement pending before Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers since 2013. No action despite appeal to Mr. Ananth Kumar, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers.

iv. Colonel Sanjiv Tagger, Chief Maintenance Engineer: Co-operated with CBI in investigations and refused to tamper records. Removed from service by Dr. Bhutani in 2015. Matter pending in High Court.

v. Captain Kshitij Sharma, Chief Security Officer: Did not ‘co-operate’ with NIPER Officials and assisted CBI. Removed from service in 2015 by Dr. Bhutani. Matter pending in High Court.

vi. Mr. Inderjit Singh, Scientist and also President, NIPER Research Employees Welfare Association (NREWA): Raised his voice against corruption at NIPER. Filed contempt case in High Court for regularization of NIPER employees even after contract abolition. Physically assaulted and mentally harassed by issue of memos, warnings and also setting up inquiry against him based on false charges by Dr. K.K.Bhutani. Termination from service saved on orders of High Court, which stayed the inquiry.

vii. Mr. Animesh Roy, Scientist (Biotechnology): Raised his voice against plagiarism at NIPER by his Head of Department, Dr. Uttam Chand Banerjee. Was victimized by removal from service in 2005 without inquiry and abrupt termination of his contract. Re-instated after 6 year battle, in 2011. Presently in service but not given salary arrears for period during which he was without service.

Copy of Letter Written By Dr. Parikshit Bansal To CVC on 8-3-2016

Dr. Parikshit Bansal, M.Sc. (Biochem), Ph.D. LLB

Ex-Faculty, (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (NIPER)Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi)

Current Address:

5568, Sector 38-West, Chandigarh-160014

Email- pbansal.niper@gmail.com; Mobile – 09316034908; 91-172-2692461

Dated: 8-3-2016

The Secretary

Central Vigilance Commission

Satarkata Bhavan, New Delhi

Regarding orders of CVC

-Suspension of Officials of NIPER, Mohali (under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals) following CBI raid and registration of FIR against them- (FIR No. RCCHG2016A0005 dated 14-1-2016) on criminal charges

Madam,

I am an ex-faculty of NIPER, Mohali. I exposed large scale corruption and bungling of funds at NIPER, Mohali (under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers) and am a complainant to the CBI, Chandigarh in this matter.

Recently, the CBI, Chandigarh conducted a raid in NIPER, Mohali (12-3-2016) and FIR was registered against 9 officials, including 8 from NIPER, Mohali. A copy of the FIR was sent to the Secretary, CVC, Satarkata Bhavan, New Delhi for necessary action.

My grievance is that despite registration of FIR on serious criminal charges, they are still continuing on their job and have not been placed under suspension. Even the CVO of NIPER, Mohali, Mr. P.J.P.Singh Warraich has not been removed from the post, though FIR is registered by CBI against him also.

In strong violation of the Vigilance Rules and despite my making written complaint to him that Prof. Saranjit Singh cannot be given charge of Officiating Director after recent retirement of Prof. Bhutani, the CVO in violation of the vigilance rules, has given charge of Officiating Director to Prof. Saranjit Singh.

The eight Officials of NIPER, Mohali against whom CBI has registered FIR No. RCCHG2016A0005 dated 14-1-2016 on criminal charges are:

1. Dr. P.Rama Rao , Ex-Director and currently working as Dean, Central University of Punjab, Bhatinda, Punjab
2. Dr. K.K.Bhutani, Professor of Natural Products Department, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
3. Dr. Saranjit Singh, Professor of Pharmaceutical Analysis, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
4. Mr. PJP Singh Warraich, Registrar and CVO, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
5. Mr. M.Jose, Finance and Accounts Officer, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
6. Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Ex- Deputy Registrar, F&A, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
7. Mr. Hardeep Singh, Ex- Section Officer (Budget), NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab
8. Mr. Rajesh Moza, Ex-Deputy Registrar, A&E, NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab

It is my urgent request and prayer that appropriate orders for their suspension be kindly issued at the earliest, so that they may be restrained from abusing their authority and victimizing others and also influencing investigations which will be against public interest.

Sincerely,

Dr. Parikshit Bansal

Mr. Chhatter told media persons that even many Ph.D students are being harassed by these officials, so the education and research is badly suffering. If CVC and Ministry do not take immediate action, which they should have taken quite ago, there will be no option left than to start serious movement to save NIPER, Mohali. They will start “Tiranga Yatra” from NIPER to PMO office as Hon’able PM has told Zero tolerance and promise corruption free India.

Regards

Mr. Jitender Chhatter, 

National President, Youth Against Corruption Haryana State Committee Member

 &

Dr. Parikshit Bansal, M.Sc. (Biochem), Ph.D. LLB

Ex-Faculty, NIPER, Mohali 5568, Sector 38-West, Chandigarh-160014BJP  Email- pbansal.niper@gmail.com

New feather in the cap of "Institute of National Shame" The authors have agreed to the retraction.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

pp 1–1

Retraction Note To: The nitrile-degrading enzymes: current status and future prospects

• A. Banerjee, 
• R. Sharma, 
• U. C. Banerjee

Retraction Note

First Online: 

07 July 2016

DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7708-0

Cite this article as:

Banerjee, A et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (2016). doi:10.1007/s00253-016-7708-0

The online version of the original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-002-1062-0.

The online version of the original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-002-1062-0.

Retraction Note To: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (2002) 60:33–44

DOI: 10.1007/s00253-002-1062-0

The article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, as it contains portions of other authors’ writings on the same topic in other publications, without sufficient attribution to these earlier works being given. The principal authors of the paper acknowledged that text from background sources was mistakenly used in this article without proper reference to the original source. Upon investigation carried out according to the Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines, it has been found that the authors have duplicated or rephrased parts from the following articles:

• The section under “Distribution of nitrile degrading enzyme systems” (Appl Microbiol Biotechnol article, page 34) contains similar text of the article “Biochemistry and biotechnology of mesophilic and thermophilic nitrile metabolizing enzymes“ from Extremophile (1998), 2, 207–216; pp. 207–8.
• The section under “Ferric NHases” (Appl Microbiol Biotechnol article, p. 37), contains verbatim text of the article “Metalloenzyme nitrile hydratase: Structure, regulation, and application to biotechnology” Nature Biotechnology (1998), 733–736. pp. 733;
• The section under “Ferric NHases” (Appl Microbiol Biotechnol article, p. 37), contains verbatim text of the article “Nitrile hydrolases” Curr Opin Chem Biol (2000), 4, 95–102; pp. 96.
• The section under “Cobalt NHases” (Appl Microbiol Biotechnol article, p. 38), contains verbatim text of the article “Metalloenzyme nitrile hydratase: Structure, regulation, and application to biotechnology” Nature Biotechnology (1998), 733–736. pp. 734.
• The article appears to contain paraphrased text from various parts of the article “Microbial Metabolism of Nitriles and Its Biotechnological Potential” Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research Vol. 58, December 1999, pp 925–947.
• Tables 1, 2 & 3 in the article have similarities with the tables in the article “Microbial Metabolism of Nitriles and Its Biotechnological Potential” Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research Vol. 58, December 1999, pp 925–947.
• Fig. 3 (p. 38) of the Appl Microbiol Biotechnol article has similarities with Figure 1 of the article “Metalloenzyme nitrile hydratase: Structure, regulation, and application to biotechnology” Nature Biotechnology (1998), 733–36; pp.734.
• Fig. 4 (p. 40) of the AMB has similarities with Figure 3 of the article “The catalytic mechanism of amidase also involves nitrile hydrolysis” FEBS Letters (1998), 439, 325–328; pp. 326

The authors have agreed to the retraction.