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