IAS Durga Shakti Nagpal Issues Clarification as High Court Examines Phone Call Allegations in Gonda Land Dispute
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IAS officer and Devipatan Divisional Commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal has issued a formal clarification addressing allegations that she attempted to pressure a judicial officer over the phone regarding a property dispute. The matter came to light after the Lucknow bench of the High Court took a stringent stance on the incident, initiating proceedings to examine the situation under criminal contempt.
Commissioner’s Clarification and Background of the Land Dispute
According to Commissioner Nagpal, her communication with the presiding officer was intended solely to ensure effective legal advocacy for long-standing government property and to check on administrative updates regarding a presiding officer's leave status. She maintained that the phone conversation did not touch upon the merits of the case, nor did it involve any specific case number or name.
The underlying legal dispute involves a valuable parcel of Nazul land in Gonda, which records indicate has been locked in litigation for nearly three decades since 1997. State authorities contend that the property belongs to the government and houses a private educational institution, while school authorities filed transfer petitions alleging administrative pressure and abuse of power during court proceedings.
High Court Takes Firm Stance on Judicial Independence
The controversy escalated when the petitioner presented a communication written by Gonda Civil Judge (Senior Division) Shabina Khan to the District Judge, detailing a phone call received on July 15. Hearing a transfer application filed by Jyoti Vidya Mandir School against the Gonda Municipal Council, a single bench of Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi emphasized that any direct attempts by executive authorities to influence judicial officers pose a serious threat to the independence of the judiciary.
The High Court observed that subordinate courts must be shielded from external pressure and humiliation to ensure fair and fearless administration of justice. The court has directed that the matter be placed before the appropriate contempt bench following requisite administrative clearances, while official reviews and legal arguments continue to unfold.
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