Delhi HC Issues Notice On PIL Against Union Bank’s Executive Director’s Appointment

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of Pankaj Dwivedi as the Executive Director of Union Bank of India. The PIL, filed by a woman who has accused Dwivedi of sexual harassment, questions his appointment, which was made on March 27 for a three-year term.

The notice was issued by a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the woman, argued that Pankaj Dwivedi's appointment as Executive Director of Union Bank of India violated regulations due to the lack of vigilance clearance. He emphasised that this contravenes the appointment norms for public sector undertakings like banks.

Bhushan also noted that a chargesheet had been filed against Dwivedi in a sexual harassment case. It was also argued by the petitioner that Dwivedi was previously a General Manager at Punjab & Sind Bank before joining Union Bank of India.

The Delhi High Court remarked that such an appointment cannot be made without a vigilance clearance. The court asked the Counsel of the Central government how Dwivedi could be appointed if the vigilance clearance had not been given.

In 2020, the Supreme Court annulled the transfer of the woman who filed the plea against Pankaj Dwivedi. She had reported irregularities and corruption involving Dwivedi at her branch and alleged that he sexually harassed her in 2018. The woman had raised concerns about account maintenance for liquor contractors and corruption allegations against Dwivedi. (ANI)