Times Mirror: Pune: Thursday, 3rd July 2025.
Rs 300-crore financial irregularity alleged at varsity; RTI reveals serious lapses; administration silent
The prestigious Savitribai
Phule Pune University (SPPU) has been hit by serious allegations of financial
irregularities amounting to Rs 300 crore. The claims have been made by RTI
activist Advocate Kaustubh Patil, who has accused senior university officials
of approving large payments in violation of rules.
Addressing a press conference, Advocate Patil alleged that a class-3 property inspector of the university, Vijay Dhawale, with assistance from the executive engineer (Estate Department), illegally approved tenders and payments worth hundreds of crores between 2023 and 2025. Patil also presented official documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to support his claims.
“Dhawale, a class-3 employee, was never legally authorised to act as an executive engineer, yet he continued to approve tenders, process payments, and conduct official correspondence,” Patil alleged. “This is a blatant violation of university regulations.”
According to Patil, Dhawale continued to hold charge even after Ravindra Pardeshi was officially appointed as Executive Engineer of the Estate Department on March 1, 2023. Despite the appointment, Pardeshi was never given operational control, while Dhawale allegedly continued to act in the role without proper authority.
“The financial approvals ranged from Rs 90 crore to Rs 95 crore per year, adding up to approximately Rs 300 crore over three years,” Patil added.
Dhawale refutes allegations
However, Dhawale dismissed the allegations, saying, “Those making accusations against me likely have more information than I do. They should prove these allegations.”
Whistleblower’s letter raises red flags
The allegations are further substantiated by a letter dated October 12, 2023, written by Executive Engineer Ravindra Pardeshi to then-Vice Chancellor Dr Gosavi. The letter, also marked to senior university officials and the Public Works Department, details how Dhawale allegedly continued functioning as the de facto executive engineer even after his charge officially ended.
Pardeshi claimed that while he had been assigned the post on paper, all actual responsibilities and signatures on key administrative and financial documents continued to be handled by Dhawale, based on a verbal order from the Registrar.
“This unauthorised functioning is not only illegal but also paves the way for future legal, financial, and administrative complications,” Pardeshi wrote. “I cannot be held responsible for any inconsistencies arising from this situation.”
Pardeshi further stated that he had previously raised these concerns in departmental meetings, but no action had been taken. He requested that Dhawale be immediately relieved of all duties and that full charge of both the Estate and Project Departments be officially handed over to him.
Violation of government norms?
Pardeshi also pointed out that government rules require additional responsibilities to be handed over to the most senior and competent official within the same cadre. Pardeshi has been serving as an Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department since 2006, while Dhawale, a Civil Overseer (Class III), was only promoted to the post of Deputy Engineer by the university.
In February 2023, the Maharashtra government had officially appointed Pardeshi to the vacant Executive Engineer post at SPPU through a government resolution. Before this, he served as Chief Engineer in the Konkan division of the Public Works Department.
No response yet from university
Despite the gravity of the allegations and the documentation provided, the university administration has yet to issue an official statement or clarification.
Repeated attempts to reach SPPU Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar, and Acting Registrar Jyoti Bhakre were unsuccessful.
Recent scams at SPPU
Answer Sheet Purchase Scam: Despite already purchasing answer sheets worth Rs 11 crore, another purchase worth Rs 2.5 crore was made. The university’s Management Council approved the tender process, but Senate members raised objections over the procurement procedure.
Procurement Bill Scam: Bills worth crores were approved by Finance Department officials without showing GST details. Senate members demanded a thorough investigation into the procurement process and strict action against those responsible.
Retired Professor’s Allowance Scam: The assistant director of sports, who retired in December last year, continued attending various committee meetings and enjoyed allowance benefits. Senate members demanded an inquiry and full recovery of unauthorised emoluments.
Land Scam: A decision to allocate 10 acres of university land for a Conventional Centre and Vintage Car Museum was taken, but the move sparked controversy and allegations of irregularities.
Rs 300-crore financial irregularity alleged at varsity; RTI reveals serious lapses; administration silent
Addressing a press conference, Advocate Patil alleged that a class-3 property inspector of the university, Vijay Dhawale, with assistance from the executive engineer (Estate Department), illegally approved tenders and payments worth hundreds of crores between 2023 and 2025. Patil also presented official documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to support his claims.
“Dhawale, a class-3 employee, was never legally authorised to act as an executive engineer, yet he continued to approve tenders, process payments, and conduct official correspondence,” Patil alleged. “This is a blatant violation of university regulations.”
According to Patil, Dhawale continued to hold charge even after Ravindra Pardeshi was officially appointed as Executive Engineer of the Estate Department on March 1, 2023. Despite the appointment, Pardeshi was never given operational control, while Dhawale allegedly continued to act in the role without proper authority.
“The financial approvals ranged from Rs 90 crore to Rs 95 crore per year, adding up to approximately Rs 300 crore over three years,” Patil added.
Dhawale refutes allegations
However, Dhawale dismissed the allegations, saying, “Those making accusations against me likely have more information than I do. They should prove these allegations.”
Whistleblower’s letter raises red flags
The allegations are further substantiated by a letter dated October 12, 2023, written by Executive Engineer Ravindra Pardeshi to then-Vice Chancellor Dr Gosavi. The letter, also marked to senior university officials and the Public Works Department, details how Dhawale allegedly continued functioning as the de facto executive engineer even after his charge officially ended.
Pardeshi claimed that while he had been assigned the post on paper, all actual responsibilities and signatures on key administrative and financial documents continued to be handled by Dhawale, based on a verbal order from the Registrar.
“This unauthorised functioning is not only illegal but also paves the way for future legal, financial, and administrative complications,” Pardeshi wrote. “I cannot be held responsible for any inconsistencies arising from this situation.”
Pardeshi further stated that he had previously raised these concerns in departmental meetings, but no action had been taken. He requested that Dhawale be immediately relieved of all duties and that full charge of both the Estate and Project Departments be officially handed over to him.
Violation of government norms?
Pardeshi also pointed out that government rules require additional responsibilities to be handed over to the most senior and competent official within the same cadre. Pardeshi has been serving as an Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department since 2006, while Dhawale, a Civil Overseer (Class III), was only promoted to the post of Deputy Engineer by the university.
In February 2023, the Maharashtra government had officially appointed Pardeshi to the vacant Executive Engineer post at SPPU through a government resolution. Before this, he served as Chief Engineer in the Konkan division of the Public Works Department.
No response yet from university
Despite the gravity of the allegations and the documentation provided, the university administration has yet to issue an official statement or clarification.
Repeated attempts to reach SPPU Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar, and Acting Registrar Jyoti Bhakre were unsuccessful.
Recent scams at SPPU
Answer Sheet Purchase Scam: Despite already purchasing answer sheets worth Rs 11 crore, another purchase worth Rs 2.5 crore was made. The university’s Management Council approved the tender process, but Senate members raised objections over the procurement procedure.
Procurement Bill Scam: Bills worth crores were approved by Finance Department officials without showing GST details. Senate members demanded a thorough investigation into the procurement process and strict action against those responsible.
Retired Professor’s Allowance Scam: The assistant director of sports, who retired in December last year, continued attending various committee meetings and enjoyed allowance benefits. Senate members demanded an inquiry and full recovery of unauthorised emoluments.
Land Scam: A decision to allocate 10 acres of university land for a Conventional Centre and Vintage Car Museum was taken, but the move sparked controversy and allegations of irregularities.
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