Row over U.P. IAS officer’s ‘bid’ to influence civil judge deepens as HC takes serious exception
The Allahabad High Court has taken serious notice of allegations that IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal pressured a civil judge regarding a pending land dispute. Civil society activists are now demanding an independent inquiry and the transfer of the officer to protect judicial independence.
Why it matters
The case raises significant concerns regarding the separation of powers and the potential for administrative overreach into the judiciary.
The controversy surrounding allegations that senior IAS officer and Devipatan Divisional Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal attempted to exert pressure on a civil judge intensified on Monday, with civil society members demanding a high-level probe by the Uttar Pradesh government.
The demand comes after the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench on Friday took serious exception to the allegation.
The Gonda civil judge, in a letter to the district judge, earlier alleged that she received repeated phone calls while on leave on July 15 from a number linked to the Devipatan Division Commissioner’s office, headquartered in Gonda. According to her, Ms. Nagpal, who wanted to discuss a long-pending land dispute, asked pointed questions about how long the judge intended to stay on leave. She also said the “phone calls and the tone used amounted to interference”.
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