Punjab tech univ ex-V-C faces probe over wife's ‘illegal' appointment; CM Mann marks for action

Indian Express

3 hours ago

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has marked for action a compliant against former Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Dr Sandeep Kansal, who is been accused of nepotism, misuse of authority, and favoritism — primarily concerning alleged irregularities involving the appointment and career advancement of his wife, Prof Mamta Kansal, it has been learnt. The former V-C has denied any wrongdoing.
The complaint against Kansal has been marked for action by Chief Minister Mann and forwarded to the university registrar. According to the complaint, Prof Mamta was initially serving on contract at MIMIT Malout, but was allegedly transferred to Giani Zail Singh Campus, Bathinda (under MRSPTU) on deputation, and soon regularised, allegedly through the direct influence of her husband. The complainants claim that the entire process was conducted in violation of university and state norms and termed it a 'blatant case of backdoor entry.'
The complainants have alleged that the appointment not only ignored due process but also resulted in financial loss to the government, as it circumvented recruitment transparency and merit-based evaluation.
It further alleges that Prof. Mamta attempted the MRSPTU's PhD entrance test twice but failed both times. These tests, according to the complaint, were conducted under duties allegedly assigned by her husband. After the failures, she reportedly obtained a PhD from a private university, which the complainants said, may have been done to bypass the university's academic standards. It was also alleged that Prof. Mamta's academic promotion is based on research papers co-authored by her husband, which violates University Grants Commission (UGC) norms on conflict of interest. According to UGC guidelines, a spouse's authorship cannot be counted toward academic promotions.
'All these allegations are motivated and wrong. My wife has been in profession for 20 years and she has got the job according to government regulations. Anonymous complaints were made against me when I had charge as VC of MRSPTU,' said Kansal while talking to The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, there is another complaint in which Kansal has been accused of misusing university funds, harassing junior staff, and soliciting bribes for issuing official notifications.
MRSPTU Registrar Gurinder Pal Singh Brar said, 'We have been conducting investigation into the both complaints and will soon send the report to CM's office.'
Kansal served as the third V-C of MRSPTU from July 26, 2024, to March 25, 2025, aligning with the end of his tenure as Dean of Faculty. He currently teaches in the Department of Physics.
His abrupt removal followed allegations of allowing political activity in the V-C's office. On March 22, 2025, Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, reportedly held a lengthy party meeting and public gathering in the V-C office, drawing criticism from the AAP-led state government. An inquiry was ordered through the Bathinda Deputy Commissioner, leading to Kansal's removal within two days.