Agri Institute Demands ₹1.63 Crore from IAS Durga Shakti Nagpal Over ‘Unauthorised Stay’ in Bungalow
In a development that has drawn widespread attention, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has issued a notice seeking ₹1.63 crore from IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, alleging “unauthorised occupation” of an official bungalow in Delhi. The notice covers the period from May 2022 to February 2025, a span of nearly three years during which Nagpal reportedly continued to reside in the property despite its official allotment being cancelled.
Nagpal, a 2010-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre , is currently serving as the District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri. Known for her dedication and administrative acumen, she said that the alleged unauthorised stay was a result of extraordinary personal circumstances. According to her, extensions for her stay had been requested because her parents were seriously ill, making it difficult for her to relocate immediately.“Still, due to some lack of paperwork, they added compounding penal charges, which are notional and impractical. I have requested for its waiver, which is in process," she told The Indian Express.
The controversy traces back to March 2015, when Nagpal was allotted bungalow B-17 (Type VI-A) while serving as Officer on Special Duty in the Agriculture Ministry. She formally took possession of the property in April 2015, paying a monthly license fee along with water charges. When her deputation ended in May 2019, Nagpal returned to her cadre in Uttar Pradesh, having also served in the Commerce Ministry during this time. Even after her deputation ended, she continued to occupy the bungalow, citing personal reasons and the need to ensure continuity in her family responsibilities.
According to officials, repeated requests were made to Nagpal to vacate the property. Notices and reminders were sent over the years, but the matter became particularly serious in late 2024. By this time, the institute had sought assistance from the Delhi Police to reclaim the bungalow, highlighting the administrative complexity of the situation. Nagpal eventually vacated the house in February 2025, ending her stay after nearly a decade of occupancy in different capacities.
While the IARI has detailed the damages as part of its penalty calculation, the officer insists that her actions were justified under exceptional circumstances. The charges, she explains, are largely due to “technical lapses” in paperwork rather than deliberate misuse of government property. Her case underscores the challenges faced by civil servants balancing professional obligations with personal responsibilities, especially when health emergencies in the family intervene.
Observers note that this situation is emblematic of broader systemic issues in the management of government housing allocations. While rules exist to ensure proper use of official residences, the rigid application of penalties without accounting for human circumstances often leads to public controversies. Nagpal’s stance, which emphasizes accountability alongside fairness, reflects a nuanced approach to bureaucratic processes.
Nagpal, a 2010-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre , is currently serving as the District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri. Known for her dedication and administrative acumen, she said that the alleged unauthorised stay was a result of extraordinary personal circumstances. According to her, extensions for her stay had been requested because her parents were seriously ill, making it difficult for her to relocate immediately.“Still, due to some lack of paperwork, they added compounding penal charges, which are notional and impractical. I have requested for its waiver, which is in process," she told The Indian Express.
The controversy traces back to March 2015, when Nagpal was allotted bungalow B-17 (Type VI-A) while serving as Officer on Special Duty in the Agriculture Ministry. She formally took possession of the property in April 2015, paying a monthly license fee along with water charges. When her deputation ended in May 2019, Nagpal returned to her cadre in Uttar Pradesh, having also served in the Commerce Ministry during this time. Even after her deputation ended, she continued to occupy the bungalow, citing personal reasons and the need to ensure continuity in her family responsibilities.
According to officials, repeated requests were made to Nagpal to vacate the property. Notices and reminders were sent over the years, but the matter became particularly serious in late 2024. By this time, the institute had sought assistance from the Delhi Police to reclaim the bungalow, highlighting the administrative complexity of the situation. Nagpal eventually vacated the house in February 2025, ending her stay after nearly a decade of occupancy in different capacities.
While the IARI has detailed the damages as part of its penalty calculation, the officer insists that her actions were justified under exceptional circumstances. The charges, she explains, are largely due to “technical lapses” in paperwork rather than deliberate misuse of government property. Her case underscores the challenges faced by civil servants balancing professional obligations with personal responsibilities, especially when health emergencies in the family intervene.
Observers note that this situation is emblematic of broader systemic issues in the management of government housing allocations. While rules exist to ensure proper use of official residences, the rigid application of penalties without accounting for human circumstances often leads to public controversies. Nagpal’s stance, which emphasizes accountability alongside fairness, reflects a nuanced approach to bureaucratic processes.
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