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Former Bareilly City: Suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, who resigned from his position earlier this week, staged a sit-in protest on Tuesday outside the District Collectorate in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. His protest followed allegations that there was an organized attempt to unlawfully confine him at the District Magistrate’s camp office, a claim he says raises serious concerns about administrative conduct.

Agnihotri, addressing the media during the protest, demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team to independently examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and the events leading to his suspension.

Allegations of Confinement at District Magistrate’s Office

According to Agnihotri, the incident took place a day before his protest, shortly after he submitted his resignation as City Magistrate. He claimed that efforts were made to prevent him from leaving the District Magistrate’s camp office late at night.

He alleged that a phone call was received by the District Magistrate suggesting that he should be made to remain at the premises overnight. Agnihotri stated that he interpreted this as an attempt to unlawfully detain him, prompting him to alert members of the local Bar Association and the media.

He further claimed that once news of the alleged plan reached the media, he was permitted to leave the premises. Agnihotri described the situation as a coordinated effort aimed at placing him in a vulnerable position that could later justify disciplinary action on unrelated grounds.

Demand for Independent Investigation

During his interaction with reporters, Agnihotri reiterated his call for an SIT probe, emphasizing the need for an impartial investigation into the phone conversations and administrative decisions involved. He stated that all relevant call records should be examined to establish whether any wrongdoing occurred.

Agnihotri also indicated that he intends to challenge his suspension through legal channels. While refraining from detailing his legal strategy, he said a decision on the next course of action would be taken after consulting legal advisors.

Resignation and Suspension Context

Agnihotri had resigned from his post as Bareilly City Magistrate a day prior to the protest. His resignation came amid escalating tensions following his suspension, although the official reasons cited by authorities have not been publicly detailed in full.

No formal response addressing Agnihotri’s specific allegations was issued by the district administration at the time of reporting.

Claims of Discrimination Against Brahmins

In addition to the administrative allegations, Agnihotri raised broader concerns, claiming that members of the Brahmin community were being unfairly targeted in Uttar Pradesh. He described what he termed an ongoing pattern of discrimination and mistreatment, citing several recent incidents to support his claims.

He alleged that in separate incidents across the state, individuals from the Brahmin community had faced physical abuse, including cases involving law enforcement and jail authorities. Agnihotri asserted that such incidents reflected a troubling trend that warranted public scrutiny.

Reference to Magh Mela Incident

Agnihotri also referred to an incident during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, alleging mistreatment of religious figures and their followers. He claimed that Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciples were subjected to physical force while participating in religious rituals on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

According to his statement, elderly monks and disciples were allegedly handled roughly by administrative personnel during the event. These allegations have not been independently verified, and no official clarification had been issued at the time of filing this report.

Call for Accountability

Agnihotri concluded by questioning the message such incidents could send to the public if left unaddressed. He urged authorities to ensure accountability within the administrative system and to safeguard the rights and dignity of all communities.

The situation continues to develop as calls for investigation and official responses grow.