The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, just a day after he sent his resignation to the authorities, triggering a major administrative storm in the state.
According to official sources, the government refused to accept Agnihotri’s resignation and instead placed him under immediate suspension after finding preliminary evidence of misconduct. A departmental inquiry has now been ordered to examine his actions and public statements.
As per the suspension order, Agnihotri will receive only a subsistence allowance during the inquiry period. He has also been attached to the District Magistrate’s office in Shamli until the investigation is completed. The Bareilly Divisional Commissioner has been appointed to lead the inquiry.
The controversy began after Agnihotri submitted his resignation, citing strong opposition to several government policies, with particular criticism of the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. He alleged that the recently introduced rules could disturb social harmony and damage the academic environment.
In his resignation note, Agnihotri sharply criticised the UGC’s Equity in Higher Education Regulations, 2026, calling them unfair and harmful. He claimed the framework could deepen social divisions and insisted that such policies should be rolled back immediately.
The UGC rules, notified earlier this month, require universities and colleges to create special committees, helplines and monitoring systems to address complaints related to caste-based discrimination, especially from students belonging to SC, ST and OBC communities. While the government has defended the move as protective, the regulations have also drawn objections from sections of general category students.
Agnihotri, a 2019-batch PCS officer, sent his resignation by email to the Uttar Pradesh Governor and the Bareilly District Magistrate. In the letter, he stated that when policies begin to divide society, it becomes the duty of individuals within the system to question them. He also expressed concern that democratic values were being weakened.
Earlier on Republic Day, after attending official celebrations, Agnihotri spoke to reporters and warned that the UGC rules could lead to social tension. He also referred to recent religious incidents, questioning administrative decisions in sensitive matters.
Later in the day, Agnihotri made a serious allegation, claiming he was illegally detained for a short period after visiting the district magistrate’s residence. He said he was verbally humiliated and released only after police intervention. The administration has not yet issued an official clarification on this claim.
Agnihotri hails from Kanpur Nagar and has earlier served as a sub-divisional magistrate in districts such as Unnao, Balrampur and Lucknow. An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University, he holds degrees in engineering and law and has also worked abroad. Within administrative circles, he is known for his outspoken views and strict approach to governance.
