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Government Reverts Union Bank ED Pankaj Dwivedi Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations; AIUBEF Seeks Transparency on Decision
Pankaj Dwivedi’s Executive Director appointment was cancelled by the Government. All India Union Bank Employees Federation had raised voice earlier, and now demands public disclosure of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet communication.
Author: Neha Bodke
Published: 19 hours ago
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The Government of India has cancelled the appointment of Mr. Pankaj Dwivedi as Executive Director of Union Bank of India, reverting him to his previous position of General Manager in Punjab & Sind Bank, with immediate effect.
This decision was formally communicated through a notification dated June 24, 2025 by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance. The notification (eF.No. 12/4/2024-BO.I) refers to a communication from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Secretariat of the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), dated June 23, 2025, which reportedly recommended the cancellation.
The notification does not mention the reasons behind the reversion. However, background events suggest the decision was influenced by a pending sexual harassment charge sheet against Dwivedi, and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged his appointment due to the absence of vigilance clearance, which is a mandatory prerequisite for such senior-level postings in public sector banks.
Legal Background
Pankaj Dwivedi was appointed as Executive Director of Union Bank of India on March 27, 2024. Following this, a PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court by the legal representative of a woman who had earlier accused Dwivedi of sexual harassment and corruption during his tenure as General Manager at Punjab & Sind Bank.
According to the PIL, a charge sheet had been filed in the case and the appointment was made without proper vigilance clearance, allegedly violating norms applicable to public sector undertakings. The Delhi High Court had issued notice in the case and sought a response from the authorities, including the Ministry of Finance.
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Earlier in 2020, the Supreme Court of India had also ruled in favor of the complainant. The Court had quashed her transfer, directed that she be reinstated as a Scale IV officer at the same branch for a period of one year, and ordered a compensation of ₹50,000. This background was cited by the petitioner as evidence that the allegations had merit and should have precluded Dwivedi’s elevation.
Union’s Earlier Objections
Soon after the appointment, the All India Union Bank Employees Federation (AIUBEF) had raised strong objections. On August 31, 2024, General Secretary Jagannath Chakraborty wrote to Union Bank’s MD & CEO Ms. A. Manimekhalai, demanding action and clarification. Copies were marked to Mr. Sameer Shukla, Joint Secretary in the DFS and Government Nominee on the Board.
In the letter, AIUBEF noted, “It is perhaps for the first time in the 100-year history of the Bank that an Executive Director has drastically maligned the image of the Bank with an allegation of sexual harassment.”
The union expressed concern that no official response or internal communication was shared with employees. It demanded to know what message the leadership intended to send to employees and the public about the bank's stance on such allegations.
AIUBEF’s Latest Response
Following the cancellation order, AIUBEF again wrote to DFS on June 25, 2025, welcoming the decision but requesting full transparency.
While speaking to Kanal, General Secretary Jagannath Chakraborty said, “Last year, after his appointment as Executive Director, we raised the issue before our Managing Director Madam A. Manimekhalai and CEO. Copies were also sent to Mr. Sameer Shukla who is Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) and also serves as a Government Nominee on the Board of Union Bank of India. But unfortunately, neither of them took cognizance of our complaint. Nobody took notice, and he continued working in Union Bank very conveniently.”
He further added, “Union Bank of India has a history of more than 100 years. That history was maligned by this appointment. On the very ground of sexual harassment, the management as well as the government should have taken more precaution while appointing an Executive Director. That’s a basic requirement in public sector banks, but it was ignored.”
“Now that the reversion has taken place, we are requesting the Government to disclose the exact communication from the Appointments Committee to the Ministry of Finance. That document should be made public. It concerns not just the Union but the integrity of the entire institution.”
Timeline of Events on ED Appointment Dispute
- Mar 27, 2024: Dwivedi appointed ED, Union Bank of India
- Aug 31, 2024: AIUBEF letter to MD & CEO Ms. A. Manimekhalai
- June 2024-May 2025: Delhi HC hears PIL on appointment irregularities
- June 23, 2025: ACC sends communication to DFS
- June 24, 2025: DFS notifies cancellation of appointment
- June 25, 2025: AIUBEF writes again to DFS seeking full disclosure
Next Steps
As of now, there is no official comment from the DFS, Union Bank of India, or the Ministry of Finance on the precise reason behind the cancellation. The Appointments Committee’s communication has not been made public. AIUBEF’s letter urges authorities to share it transparently, asserting that bank employees and the public have a right to know what prompted the reversal of a high-profile appointment.
The matter also brings into focus the process of vigilance clearance, internal accountability, and judicial scrutiny in senior-level banking appointments.
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