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Bareilly Official Claims Conspiracy in Land Scandal

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, February 1st 2026 at 4:57 GMT by ThePrint
      Locale: INDIA

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh - February 1st, 2026 - The suspension of Devki Nandan Misra, former City Magistrate of Bareilly, continues to send ripples through the local administration and political landscape. Misra, who resigned from his post on January 26th, 2026, before being formally suspended on January 27th, now claims he is the victim of a "well-planned conspiracy" designed to implicate him in alleged wrongdoing. The unfolding drama centers around accusations of corruption levelled against his personal assistant, Abhishek Kumar, who was suspended prior to Misra's resignation.

Misra's allegations, made in an exclusive interview with ThePrint earlier this week, paint a picture of manipulation and orchestrated events. He asserts he was unaware of any illicit activities involving Kumar and was actively pressured into submitting his resignation under the guise of "personal reasons." He believes this pressure was part of a larger scheme to deflect blame and cover up the true perpetrators of an alleged illegal land scam.

"I was led to believe that Kumar was involved in a land scam, and that I, as his superior, would be held responsible," Misra explained. "The timing of the accusations, the suspension of Kumar, and the subsequent pressure on me to resign all suggest a deliberate attempt to construct a false narrative of my involvement. I maintain my innocence and believe the truth will eventually surface."

The alleged land scam, while details remain scarce at this early stage of the inquiry, appears to be the central point of contention. Sources within the Bareilly administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest the scam could involve the illegal acquisition and sale of prime land around the city periphery. The scale of the potential financial irregularities is currently unknown.

Bareilly District Magistrate (DM) Rakesh Singh confirmed receiving Misra's resignation and has initiated a full departmental inquiry. The investigation is being led by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) VK Singh, who is tasked with uncovering the facts surrounding the allegations against both Misra and Kumar. Singh's team is reportedly scrutinizing land records, financial transactions, and communication logs to establish a timeline of events and identify any potential accomplices.

The case has ignited a firestorm of political debate in Bareilly. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, have seized upon the scandal, demanding a comprehensive and impartial investigation. They allege a potential cover-up and call for the involvement of an independent investigative body, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Leaders from these parties have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding individuals involved in the alleged scam.

"This reeks of corruption and a blatant attempt to protect those in power," stated SP spokesperson Anita Yadav at a press conference held yesterday. "A fair investigation is impossible under the current circumstances. We demand a CBI inquiry to ensure accountability and transparency."

Meanwhile, the Bareilly police, when contacted, declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the administrative inquiry. However, sources indicate that the police are quietly conducting their own preliminary investigation to gather evidence and assess whether criminal charges are warranted.

The suspension of Misra and Kumar, combined with the allegations of a conspiracy, raises serious questions about the integrity of the Bareilly administration. Observers suggest that the case could have far-reaching implications, potentially exposing a network of corruption within the local bureaucracy.

The ADM's inquiry is expected to take several weeks, if not months, to complete. Key areas of focus will include establishing the extent of Kumar's alleged involvement in the land scam, identifying the individuals who allegedly pressured Misra to resign, and determining whether any other officials were complicit in the alleged conspiracy. The outcome of the inquiry will likely determine the future of both Misra and Kumar, as well as potentially triggering further investigations into other individuals connected to the case. The residents of Bareilly, and the wider Uttar Pradesh electorate, are watching closely, eager to see justice served and accountability established within their local government.