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IAS Durgashakti Nagpal faces HC wrath over call to judge
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has rebuked IAS officer Durgashakti Nagpal, the commissioner of Devipatan division, for allegedly telephoning a civil judge to influence a three-decade-old land dispute case…
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has rebuked IAS officer Durgashakti Nagpal, the commissioner of Devipatan division, for allegedly telephoning a civil judge to influence a three-decade-old land dispute case from Gonda. The court termed the act an attack on judicial independence and directed that the matter be placed before a criminal contempt bench.
Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi heard the case related to a 1997 land dispute. Civil Judge (Senior Division) Shabina Khan reported the incident to the district judge, leading to the case being transferred. The high court noted that the language and tone of the reported conversation indicated an attempt to exert pressure, calling it shocking that a litigant party contacted a judge via phone call.
Citing Supreme Court rulings, the court said pressuring or intimidating judges obstructs justice. It stressed that subordinate courts must work without fear. The commissioner did not deny making the call. The matter has been sent to the criminal contempt bench for further consideration.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The incident escalates a long-running tension between the executive and judiciary over boundary lines. Under the Constitution, a commissioner has no business contacting a judge on a pending case, doing so can invite contempt of court, which carries a maximum six-month jail term or a Rs 2,000 fine under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The case also puts the spotlight on Nagpal, who was previously in the news when her husband, IAS Abhishek Singh, resigned amid a suspension. The contempt bench will now decide if a formal notice and hearing are needed, and a date for that hearing is the next number to watch.
Background context: Durgashakti Nagpal is also the wife of IAS Abhishek Singh, who resigned in February while under suspension. This case adds to scrutiny of her conduct.
Source: aajtak.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
