The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly's city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri following his resignation. He accused the administration of holding him hostage at the district magistrate's residence, a claim denied by officials. A departmental inquiry has been ordered, and he will receive subsistence allowance during suspension.
Alankar Agnihotri, the city magistrate of Bareilly, resigned from his position on Monday, January 26, 2026. Along with his resignation, he leveled serious allegations against the district administration and the district magistrate. He claimed that he was forcibly detained at the DM's residence for about 45 minutes, subjected to mental pressure. During a call from Lucknow, he alleged an objectionable remark was made: "Brahmin ke bahut dimaag kharab ho rahe hain, ise yahan baitha lo." Agnihotri stated that he had to escape to save his life.
The administration refuted these claims. ADM Judicial Desh Deepak Singh stated it was a routine administrative meeting attended by the ADM Administration, ADM City, SSP, and himself. "The conversation took place in a normal atmosphere. Tea, coffee, and sweets were offered. There was no pressure or any situation of detention," he clarified.
After resigning, around midnight at 12:30 a.m., Agnihotri had most of his belongings removed from the official residence and left in a car for an unknown location. However, he still needs to formally hand over charge.
On January 27, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh government suspended him with immediate effect. The government stated that prima facie, his conduct had affected administrative discipline. The Bareilly Divisional Commissioner will conduct the inquiry. During suspension, he will remain attached to the Shamli District Magistrate's office and receive only subsistence allowance.
In his five-page resignation letter, Agnihotri opposed the UGC's 2026 rules, which he said would impact general category students (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Bhumihar) by treating them as suspects or criminals. He referenced the incident at the Magh Mela where disciples of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand had their choti (tuft of hair) pulled, viewing it as an insult to the Brahmin community. He accused the government of a divide-and-rule policy akin to the British and demanded the withdrawal of the rules.
