The administrative corridors of Uttar Pradesh are buzzing with the news of Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri's resignation and subsequent suspension. In a dramatic turn of events, the state government took swift action against the. Officer after he publicly announced his resignation, citing ideological differences and grievances regarding religious matters.
The Resignation and Suspension Order
Alankar Agnihotri submitted his resignation on January 26, raising eyebrows across the state. Following his public statement, the Uttar Pradesh government placed him under suspension with immediate effect, while the government has initiated departmental disciplinary proceedings against him, citing a breach of the official code of conduct for civil servants.
Reasons Behind the Resignation
In his resignation letter, Agnihotri highlighted two primary reasons for his decision. He termed the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new 2026 regulations as 'oppressive. ' On top of that, he expressed deep resentment over the alleged ill-treatment of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj. These statements were viewed by the government as an act of indiscipline.
Allegations of Hostage Situation
Adding a sensational twist to the case, Agnihotri alleged that he was called to. The District Magistrate's residence under the pretext of a meeting and was held hostage there. He claimed that senior officials, including the police chief, were present and tried to prevent him from leaving. However, the state government has officially denied these allegations, stating that the truth will emerge only after the formal inquiry.
Profile of Alankar Agnihotri
Originally from Kanpur, Alankar Agnihotri's journey to the civil services is one of resilience. Having lost his father at the age of ten, he shouldered family responsibilities from a very young age, while despite the hardships, he pursued higher education, earning degrees in B. Tech and LLB before cracking the prestigious state civil services exam.
Career Milestones and Education
Agnihotri was a top performer in the UPPSC 2016 batch, securing the 15th rank. He began his administrative career as an SDM in Unnao in 2019 and later served in Balrampur and Etah. Before his posting as the City Magistrate of Bareilly, he served as the Assistant Municipal Commissioner in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Currently, he has been attached to the Shamli DM office pending the inquiry results.