Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal is back in the spotlight after the state administration succeeded in clearing decades-old encroachment from government land in Gonda. The matter had been pending for nearly 30 years, with the administration struggling to reclaim its own land.
Nagpal, a 2010-batch IAS officer currently serving as Divisional Commissioner of Devipatan division, oversaw the removal of the encroachment from multi-crore government-owned land earmarked for the commissioner’s office and associated buildings. The petitioner who had been pursuing the matter in court for years has now withdrawn his case from the Allahabad High Court and surrendered his claim over the land.
The encroachment case (Jyoti Vidya Mandir School vs Nagar Palika Parishad, Gonda) relates to Nazul Plot Nos. 514, 515, 524 and 525 in Gonda, which were reserved for the commissioner’s office and associated buildings. The dispute had remained pending in court since 1997.
Nagpal, however, continued to pursue the encroachment matter. She personally reviewed government records relating to the land and directed officials to present the government’s case strongly before the court.
The administration’s legal efforts eventually led the petitioner, Dayanand Mishra, a resident of Gonda, to withdraw his case and give up his claim over the property.
‘School’ claim comes under scrutiny
ThePrint has learnt that Mishra claimed a school was being run on the government land to justify his occupation.
However, following Nagpal’s directions, an administrative team conducted an inspection of the site. Officials reportedly found no students or teachers there, raising questions over the ‘school’.
Following the inspection, Mishra moved the court and withdrew his claim. The administration subsequently secured possession of the land after three decades of encroachment.
According to officials in the Gonda administration, the most significant aspect of the development is that the petitioner has not only withdrawn from the legal battle but has also vacated the disputed site. After nearly three decades of litigation, the change is therefore both legal and physical. The case has moved towards closure and the land is now free of occupation.
The dispute first reached the courts in 1997 and remained pending for nearly three decades. Now, following the petitioner’s affidavit and vacation of the site, the responsibility of protecting the plots lies with the administration.
The administration will take steps to secure the land reserved for the Commissioner’s Office and its buildings and ensure that it is used for the designated government purpose.
While speaking to ThePrint, Nagpal said the state government’s priority was to protect government land and ensure that it was used for public purposes. “Our intention was very clear. Protecting government land and ensuring its use in the public interest is our top priority,” she told ThePrint.
She added that the dispute over the land had continued for nearly 30 years but had now been resolved, and that the property had been secured for its designated government purpose.
Matter came in spotlight in August
The development comes weeks after Nagpal was involved in a controversy in the same case over allegations that she attempted to influence a judicial officer in the case.
The controversy intensified after Civil Judge Shabina Khan informed the court about an alleged telephone conversation with Nagpal on 15 July.
In a written statement that subsequently went viral on social media, Khan alleged that Nagpal told her: “I am a senior IAS officer, and you have behaved improperly by not taking my phone call.” She further alleged that Nagpal said: “It is good that you spoke to me; otherwise, I was going to file a complaint against you in the high court.”
Hearing the civil suit, Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi observed that the tone and language of the alleged conversation gave the impression that an attempt had been made to influence the presiding officer of the court.
The court expressed surprise that a litigating party or the state could approach a court by telephone in connection with a matter that was still pending.
Speaking to ThePrint, Nagpal said the matter had been blown out of proportion by the media. She said she was focused on resolving a serious issue that had remained pending for nearly 30 years. According to her, some outside elements misrepresented the matter on social media.
This was not the first time Nagpal has faced controversy.
In 2013, when she was posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district, she launched action against alleged illegal sand mining along the Yamuna and Hindon rivers.
Her crackdown, including raids and action against those allegedly involved in illegal mining, attracted considerable attention.
However, in July 2013, the then Akhilesh Yadav government suspended Nagpal following the demolition of a wall of an under-construction mosque in Kadalpur village. The state government alleged that the action involving a religious structure had the potential to affect law and order.
Nagpal denied the allegations against her. Her suspension triggered a wider debate over whether civil servants could face punitive action for carrying out their duties.
The controversy soon extended beyond Uttar Pradesh, with the state government facing criticism over the decision. The Centre also sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh government.
Nagpal continued her legal challenge and maintained her position. Amid mounting criticism and scrutiny, the Akhilesh Yadav government eventually revoked her suspension in October 2013.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)