Uttar Pradesh Government Suspends Bareilly Magistrate Amid Controversial Resignation
The Uttar Pradesh government has taken decisive action against Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, suspending him from service and initiating a departmental inquiry. This move comes shortly after Agnihotri, a 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer, submitted his resignation, citing strong ideological disagreements with government policies and what he described as administrative pressure.
Official Suspension Order and Inquiry Initiation
According to an official order issued by the state government on January 26, Agnihotri has been found prima facie guilty based on a report submitted by the district magistrate of Bareilly. Acting under Rule 4 and Rule 7 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999, the government placed him under immediate suspension.
The commissioner of Bareilly division has been appointed as the inquiry officer to conduct a detailed probe into the charges against Agnihotri. The suspension order was issued mere hours after Agnihotri sent his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel and Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh.
Resignation Citing Ideological Differences
In his resignation letter, Agnihotri expressed deep ideological differences with government policies and highlighted what he perceived as erosion of constitutional values. He specifically pointed to what he called an "anti-Brahmin campaign" underway in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that members of the Brahmin community were being selectively targeted and tortured.
Agnihotri cited recent incidents including alleged assaults on Brahmins and the controversy surrounding Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati, during the Magh Mela on Mauni Amavasya. He claimed that the Shankaracharya's disciples and elderly monks were beaten by security personnel, raising serious questions about administrative conduct.
Additional Allegations and Concerns
The suspended magistrate also targeted the University Grants Commission's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, which were notified on January 13. He described these regulations as a "black law" that would lead to harassment of general category students through false complaints.
Agnihotri expressed disappointment with what he called the silence of MPs and MLAs from his community, urging public representatives from the Brahmin community to resign in protest. He formally submitted his resignation via email to the state Chief Secretary and the District Magistrate, in addition to his communication with the Governor.
Controversial Meeting and Conflicting Accounts
Agnihotri alleged that after submitting his resignation, he went to meet District Magistrate Avinash Singh at his residence, where he was "held hostage for 45 minutes," verbally abused, and asked to be confined overnight. However, DM Avinash Singh refuted these allegations completely, stating that Agnihotri was neither detained nor mistreated.
Singh explained that senior officers including Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, police officers, and intelligence officials were present during the meeting. He dismissed Agnihotri's claims as baseless and declined to comment further on the resignation matter.
Political Reactions and Responses
The developments have triggered varied political reactions across party lines. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma distanced himself from the controversy, stating that he neither knew Agnihotri nor had heard about him previously. He suggested that some individuals develop political motivations and then seek reasons to justify their actions.
Opposition leaders, however, have taken the episode more seriously. Congress state president Ajay Rai expressed concerns about administrative pressure and freedom of expression under the BJP government, while Senior Samajwadi Party leader Praveen Singh Aron emphasized that the issue transcended caste considerations and touched upon the dignity of officers and constitutional governance.
Background of the Suspended Officer
Alankar Agnihotri, a resident of Kanpur Nagar, has previously served as Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Unnao, Balrampur, and Lucknow. An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University, he holds degrees in B.Tech and LLB and has professional experience working in the United States. Known for his strict working style, his resignation on Republic Day and the subsequent suspension have sparked political reactions and protests by Brahmin leaders in Bareilly.
Government's Stance and Future Proceedings
The state government has clarified that disciplinary proceedings will continue independently of Agnihotri's resignation. According to official statements, a charge-sheet will be issued as per established rules following the completion of the inquiry. The government maintains that proper procedures are being followed in accordance with service regulations.
This case highlights ongoing tensions within the administrative machinery and raises questions about bureaucratic autonomy, freedom of expression, and the relationship between government servants and political leadership in Uttar Pradesh.
