Gonda land dispute: Allahabad HC takes serious note of IAS officer’s alleged phone call to civil judge

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has taken a serious view of an alleged attempt to influence civil judge (senior division) Shabina Khan, who is hearing a long-pending land dispute in Gonda

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has taken a serious view of an alleged attempt to influence civil judge (senior division) Shabina Khan, who is hearing a long-pending land dispute in Gonda.

The high court stated that the matter warranted consideration under criminal contempt. (For Representation)

The court said that the alleged pressure exerted by Devipatan divisional commissioner Durga Shakti Nagpal, a senior IAS officer, on the civil judge by calling her, is prima facie a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary and creates hindrance in the administration of justice.

The high court stated that the matter warranted consideration under criminal contempt. The court directed that the matter be brought before the appropriate court after obtaining necessary directions from the chief justice or the senior judge. The matter concerned several parcels of Nazul land registered in the name of the commissioner of Devipatan division.

“In view of the above, this Court prima facie finds that the matter requires indulgence by the Court dealing with criminal contempt matters. Let the matter be placed before the appropriate Court dealing with the contempt matters after seeking directions from Hon’ble the Chief Justice/Hon’ble the Senior Judge,” the high court ordered.

According to the divisional commissioner’s submission before the court, the land was reserved for office buildings and other government purposes. It was alleged that a school building was constructed on the land, and the dispute has been pending in the civil court for nearly three decades. The case is pending at the evidence stage, and a status quo order has been issued.

The school alleged that state officials were abusing their position and exerting undue pressure on the court. On this basis, the case was sought to be transferred outside the Devipatan division. Meanwhile, the controversy escalated when Gonda civil judge (senior division) Shabina Khan revealed an alleged telephone conversation she had with the divisional commissioner on July 15, 2026.

According to the judge, the conversation referred to her leave as well as the case pending in her court. Subsequently, at the request of the civil judge, the district judge transferred the case to another court in Gonda with equal jurisdiction. This automatically invalidated the transfer petition filed by the school, the high court said.

However, the high court stated that the allegations related to the phone call cannot be ignored. It stated that the tone and language of the conversation described by Khan prima facie indicated an attempt to influence her as the presiding officer. The court also noted that the divisional commissioner had not denied making the call. The high court expressed surprise at how a party could contact the court by phone in this manner in connection with a pending case.