New Delhi, October 8: The case of Durga Shakti Nagpal and the ₹1.63 Crore Fine has attracted national attention after the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) issued a demand notice to the IAS officer. The notice accuses her of staying in a government bungalow for almost three years beyond her official term. The fine of ₹1.63 crore covers her stay from May 2022 to February 2025 at a Type VI-A bungalow in Delhi.
Durga Shakti Nagpal, known for her strong administrative record, first received the bungalow on March 19, 2015, while serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to then Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh. She moved in a month later, paying ₹6,600 per month plus water charges. Her posting ended in May 2019, but she continued living there until February 2025, well past her tenure.
Between 2020 and 2024, IARI officials sent several reminders asking her to vacate the residence. When she did not respond, the institute approached the Delhi Police in February 2025 to reclaim the property under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
In a letter dated May 2, 2023, IARI demanded ₹1.63 crore as compensation for unauthorized occupancy. Officials calculated the fine according to government rules, which charge fifty times the regular rent for the first month and increase it gradually. The rent started at ₹92,000 and rose to ₹4.6 lakh by the eighth month.
Nagpal defended her extended stay, saying she had valid approval due to her parents’ serious health conditions. Her father underwent bypass surgery, and her mother needed a knee replacement. “The extension was approved, and I paid the rent. The penalty added later is only notional,” she explained.
She also mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh government supported her waiver request. In June 2025, the state sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, asking for leniency based on her family’s medical situation. Nagpal said missing paperwork created the misunderstanding, not unpaid dues.
An IARI official stressed that public officers must vacate government quarters immediately after their tenure. “We rarely face such cases, but unauthorized stays result in strict penalties,” the official said. The institute believes that enforcing such fines maintains accountability in public service.
Nagpal’s professional journey reflects dedication and achievement. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, she joined the IAS in 2010. Over the years, she has held several key positions, including Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Special Secretary for Medical Education in Uttar Pradesh. Before taking charge in Lakhimpur Kheri, she served as District Magistrate of Banda.
Public opinion on this issue remains divided. Many sympathize with her family’s medical struggles, while others believe all officials must follow the same rules. The situation has also raised broader questions about how authorities monitor and allocate government housing.
Policy experts suggest introducing a centralized housing database to track approvals, lease extensions, and handovers. They believe better coordination between central and state departments could prevent such disputes in the future.
Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture is reviewing the case to decide whether to uphold or waive the fine. Officials are expected to issue a final statement soon.
In conclusion, the case of Durga Shakti Nagpal and the ₹1.63 Crore Fine highlights the ongoing balance between administrative accountability and personal challenges faced by civil servants. It also emphasizes the importance of transparent housing policies and consistent rule enforcement. As the review continues, many hope for a fair outcome that respects both justice and compassion.
