Prof Afzal Zargar was appointed as Registrar at Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in 2014 for a five-year term by Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi. Prof Qureshi was Prof Zargar’s next-door neighbor at Saderbal, Srinagar, and was close to Prof Zargar’s father at Kashmir University (KU). Sources reveal that at the time when he joined CUK as Registrar, Prof Zargar was not entitled to leave his position at Kashmir University for five years. But courtesy of his clout at Kashmir University and the active support of Prof Mehrajudin Mir, Prof Zargar managed his deputation to Central University in violation of rules.
At Central University of Kashmir, Prof Zargar had more friends waiting to indulge him, again in violation of rules. This was the time when Prof Talat Ahmed was the vice-chancellor of Central Univerity of Kashmir. Allegedly in violation of rules, Prof Talat Ahmed sanctioned leave for Prof Zargar for four years, extendable by one more year. Prof Talat placed the case before the University Council for ratification. The University Council headed by the then Governor Mr. NN Vohra. In the meeting held on April 16, 2014, the Governor turned down Prof Zargar’s deputation to CUK as the same was declared illegal. Prof Zargar made a representation to the university. Prof Khurshid Andabi, then Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University and also Prof Zargar’s colleague at the Department of Biotechnology Department, endorsed the matter for consideration of Kashmir University Council.
KASHMIR UNIVERSITY COUNCIL HEADED BY GUV NN VOHRA TURNS DOWN AFZAL ZARGAR REQUEST FOR SECOND, THEN THIRD TIME
The matter was again turned down by Kashmir University Council headed by Governor Vohra. In the meeting held on October 27, 2014, the Council observed in writing that the “the request made by Prof Zargar is not maintainable and hence action under rules be taken against him”. With the tacit conspiracy of Prof Andrabi and Prof Mehrajudin Mir, Prof Zargar again made a representation to Kashmir University to reconsider the decision. The University Council again rejected the request in its meeting dated April 13, 2015. Accordingly, the deputation of Prof Zargar to Central University of Kashmir was terminated. Prof Zargar was asked to join back at Kashmir University vide University Order dated June 29, 2015.
KU COUNCIL THREATENS PROF AFZAL ZARGAR WITH TERMINATION OF SERVICES
“The University should not entertain any correspondence in this regard and Prof Zargar should join back the university forthwith, failing which action for termination of his services from the University be taken,” reads the order. Prof Zargar was issued the final notice on June 29, 2015 “to join back the University forthwith failing which your services in the University would be terminated”. Despite the clear decision of Kashmir University, Prof Zargar managed a stay order on the letter issued by Kashmir University. Thereafter, Prof Zargar continued as the Registrar of Central University of Kashmir for five years. Some of the officers at Kashmir University and its legal councils supported Prof Zargar in managing his stay at CUK in violation of rules.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR: MEHRAJ AND ZARGAR PRIVATE LTD
Prof Zargar ensured that the officers who supported him benefited from their decision. He hired a building owned by some of them at Rajbagh as a hostel for students at an exorbitant rate. This was the time when CUK was operating from Nowgam. While Kashmir University had terminated his deputation to CUK, he illegally remitted Leave Salary Contribution (LSPC) for his unauthorized period of deputation. In this way, Prof Zargar abused his official position and flouted all established financial rules. During the period of his stay at CUK as Registrar, Prof Zargar managed the establishment of Department of Biotechnology at CUK and subsequently his appointment as professor in the department. Since he could not join CUK as professor without getting relieved from Kashmir University, he was compelled to join back at Kashmir University. Again after managing his leave from KU by maneuvering the rules, Prof Zargar joined CUK as Professor in September 2019. All these years, Prof Zargar was hand in glove with Prof Mehrajudin Mir. In order to cover up his misdeeds at CUK, Prof Mir again appointed his henchmen Prof Zargar as Registrar for the next five years.
Prof Zargar’s appointment as Registrar was made by Prof Mir just one month before he (Prof Mir) was to leave office in September 2020. This was done against MHRD/UGC norms, (including order No F.No.V.11014/11/04-CDN of MHRD), which do not allow the outgoing VCs to make any appointment/promotions three months prior to the expiry of their term.
EX GRATIA JOBS FOR TWO BROTHERS, MEDICAL COLLEGE SEAT FOR SISTER
HOW AFZAL ZARGAR JOINED KASHMIR UNIVERSITY
Sources reveal that Prof Afzal Zargar did not ever face competition for any position. He always enjoyed the patronage of bosses at Kashmir University and Central University because of his father late Abdul Gani Zargar, who yielded heavy clout in Kashmir University. Abdul Gani Zargar was the Personal Secretary of late Prof Mashirul Haq, the former vice-chancellor of Kashmir University. Prof Haq was killed in April 1990 by the militant group Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Prof Haq became the victim of an inter-group clash between the militants of JKLF and the militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. Abdul Gani Zargar was with Prof Mashirul Haq at that time. He too was killed in the militant group clash. As per the policy of the J&K government at that time, Abdul Gani Zargar’s family was entitled for ex-gratia relief of Rs 4 lakh and a Class 4 job to any dependant family member under SRO 43. Bypassing all rules, Dr. Afzal Zargar was directly appointed as Assistant Director in Academic Staff College of Kashmir University. Sources say that the appointment was made as part of the plan hatched by Prof Mehrajudin Mir, who was the Director of the Academic Staff College in Kashmir University at that time.
On the same compassionate ground, the brother of Prof Afzal Zargar was appointed in Kashmir University on a non-teaching position. Prof Zargar’s sister Asifa was given admission in MBBS in a medical college outside Jammu and Kashmir. She now works with State Health Department. Prof Afzal then moved to the Department of Bio-Chemistry of Kashmir University as a lecturer without facing any competition. His role as Chief Proctor at Kashmir University is considered by many to be the most notorious tenure in the chair. In 2014, Prof Zargar was appointed as Registrar of Central University of Kashmir by Prof Abdul Wahid Quesrishi. Sources reveal that Prof Querishi was the next door neighbor of Prof Zargar at Saderbal in Srinagar. Sources add that Prof Querishi was very close to Prof Zargar’s father at Kashmir University.
Sources reveal that then-Governor Mr. NN Vohra turned down Prof Afzal Zargar’s deputation to Central University of Kashmir. But he managed to get a stay order to Kashmir University’s termination order (see text of official letter cited with the write-up), and continued as the Registrar for five years.
UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR THREATENED PROF AFZAL ZARGAR WITH TERMINATION OF SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR
HAZRATBAL, SRINAGARNo: F (Prof BCh) Adm /TW/KU/15
Dated June 2.9.2015
Professor M. Afzal Zargar
Registrar,
Central University of Kashmir
Transit office, Sonwar, SrinagarRef Representation dated 13.03.2015 regarding deputation to Central University
Sir,
University Council has passed following resolutions/decisions on your deputation to Central University:
Resolution dated 16.04.2014.
“Resolved that the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor in having authorised deputation of Dr. M Afzal Zargar, Professor, Department of Bio-Chemistry, to Central University of Kashmir as Registrar for a period of 4 years extendable by one year as a special case, be not agreed to
Further resolved that Dr. M. Afzal Zargar be asked to apply for lien which would be considered as per extant rules of the University
Resolution dated 27.10.2014
“While reviewing the case of Professor Mohd Afzal Zargar, the council resolved that the response/reply of Prof. Mohd Afzal Zargar is not maintainable and hence action under rules be taken in the matter”
Above resolutions stand communicated to you vide letter dated 25.06.2014 and order dated 22.01.2015.
Your above referred to representation was again placed before university Council at its meeting held on 13.04.2015 whereat following comments/observations were made by the Hon’ble Chancellor and other members of the Council
“The University should not entertain any correspondence in this regard and Professor Zargar should either join back forthwith failing which action for terminating his services from the University be taken.
In light of the above decision you are required to join back this University forthwith failing which action for terminating your services from the University will be initiated.
Yours faithfully
Assistant Registrar
Administration-TW
