Sandeep Bhagia, a 2018 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, who is serving as Additional Commissioner in Gautam Buddha Nagar zone of the State Tax Department, is under fire. More than 60 officials of his department has raised serious objection to his behaviour towards subordinates after wife of Deputy Commissioner Ved Prakash Singh wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Yogi alleging misbehaviour with his husband during a meeting. Following that, officials have submitted a joint representations to Principal Secretary to CM, Principal Secretary Tax and Commissioner Tax alleging inappropriate behaviour of Bhagia.
The officials wrote in their letter alleging that the Additional Commissioner's behaviour was “extremely disrespectful, insensitive and demoralising to the officers”.
The complainants alleged that rebuking officials publicly and making personal comments in review meetings have become common practice of Bhagia.
“This has badly affected the working environment of the office,” officials allege.
Serious allegations levelled in the letter
The officials have said in their complaint letter that in the review meeting held on June 12, Deputy Commissioner Ved Prakash Singh was humiliated in front of all the officers.
According to the letter, the officer had informed about the work had been affected due to his duty in the police recruitment examination, but the Additional Commissioner reacted unusually aggressively.
The letter said that the health condition of Ved Prakash Singh deteriorated after the incident and he had to seek medical help.
The complainants have described it as an issue related to the self respect of entire officer class and not a case pertaining to one single officer.
Officers Associations open front against Bhagia
Three officers associations of the state tax department have held a joint meeting and passed the resolution in the matter.
In a letter sent to the state tax commissioner, the associations have said that there is deep resentment among the Gautam Buddha Nagar zone officials and the matter should be investigated impartially.
The joint platform stated in its resolution that public abusive behaviour with any official cannot be accepted and it affects the morale of the entire department.
Demand for investigation
They have demanded that the government should conduct a high-level inquiry into the matter to fix the blame and provide a decent and safe work environment to the officials.
An attempt was made to contact Additional Commissioner Sandeep Bhagia to know his side but he could not be contacted. We will update this story when we get his views on this matter.
Women officers had accused Sandeep Bhagia of harassment, exploitation, and inappropriate conduct last year
In August last year, several women officers posted in the department accused Sandeep Bhagia of harassment, exploitation, and inappropriate conduct. A complaint detailing the allegations was reportedly sent to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The officers alleged that they were frequently summoned to the Additional Commissioner's office, made to stand for extended periods, and subjected to uncomfortable behaviour. They also claimed that late-night phone and video calls were made to them and that their activities were being monitored within the office. Some officers further alleged that those who resisted such conduct were targeted through disciplinary proceedings and suspension threats.
Later in September last year, nearly half a dozen officers, including women officials who had raised concerns, were transferred out of Noida. Departmental authorities maintained that the transfers were linked to an incident involving a truck carrying pan masala that was allegedly allowed to leave after lower tax was collected, causing a loss of revenue to the government.
The transferred officers rejected the allegations, claiming that the charges were fabricated to justify disciplinary action against them.
Following the controversy, the state government assigned Aligarh Divisional Commissioner IAS Sangeeta Singh to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
