New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim relief to senior Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer Sanjay Prasad (IAS: 1995: UP) by staying adverse directions issued against him by the Allahabad High Court in a case linked to police reforms and criminal investigations in the state.
A Bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Atul Chandurkar passed the stay order on an appeal filed by Prasad, who currently serves as the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Uttar Pradesh Government.
The apex court’s intervention comes days after the Allahabad High Court made strong observations against the senior bureaucrat, accusing him of displaying reluctance in implementing judicial directions aimed at strengthening police investigations and accountability mechanisms in Uttar Pradesh.
Supreme Court Stays High Court Directions
The Supreme Court specifically stayed the directions of the Allahabad High Court that had ordered the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, to keep the court’s findings on record while evaluating Sanjay Prasad’s suitability for future assignments.
The High Court judgment under challenge was delivered on June 3 by Justice Vinod Diwakar.
In its order, the High Court had observed that Prasad’s conduct prima facie appeared to be a “deliberate and calculated attempt” to undermine judicial authority and delay the implementation of police reforms suggested by the court.
The Supreme Court’s stay has effectively put those directions on hold pending further consideration of the matter.
Why Did the Allahabad High Court Criticise Sanjay Prasad?
The controversy emerged during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by a woman seeking custody of her minor daughter, who was allegedly enticed away by a man.
While examining the case, the High Court found serious shortcomings in the police investigation and questioned whether the state police were implementing directions issued earlier in the landmark Subhash Chandra & Others vs State of Uttar Pradesh judgment aimed at improving criminal investigations.
When the court sought an explanation regarding non-compliance of those directions, it was informed through an affidavit filed by the Home Department that the Uttar Pradesh government had decided to challenge the earlier judgment before the Supreme Court.
The High Court noted that although the May 2025 judgment had remained unchallenged for nearly a year, the decision to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) was taken only after explanations were sought from the Additional Chief Secretary (Home).
Justice Diwakar observed that despite repeated opportunities, no order from the Supreme Court staying the earlier directions had been produced before the High Court.
The court consequently made strong observations regarding the conduct of Sanjay Prasad, stating that there appeared to be an “apparent reluctance” to facilitate reforms designed to improve investigative standards and ensure compliance with judicial directions.
The High Court remarked that such conduct, if left unchecked, could render constitutional court orders ineffective and set a dangerous precedent for administrative resistance to judicial mandates.
Earlier High Court Criticism in Another Case
Sanjay Prasad had also recently come under scrutiny in another matter involving alleged delays in a cheating and criminal breach of trust case registered in Lucknow.
The Allahabad High Court had expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of investigation and questioned the response of the Home Department.
The court observed that significant action, including arrests of accused persons, appeared to have taken place only after judicial intervention. It had criticised the administrative response and sought a more detailed affidavit from the senior bureaucrat.
The matter remains under judicial consideration.
Who is IAS Sanjay Prasad?
Sanjay Prasad is among the most influential bureaucrats in Uttar Pradesh and is widely regarded as one of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s closest and most trusted officers.
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: May 23, 1971
- Native Place: Sitamarhi, Bihar
- Educational Qualification: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography
- Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Batch: 1995
- Cadre: Uttar Pradesh
He entered the civil services through the UPSC Civil Services Examination and has since built a distinguished administrative career spanning more than three decades.
The Gorakhpur Connection with Yogi Adityanath
One of the defining chapters of Sanjay Prasad’s career was his tenure as Chief Development Officer (CDO), Gorakhpur, between 1999 and 2001.
It was during this period that he first worked closely with then Member of Parliament Yogi Adityanath.
Administrative observers often point to this period as the foundation of the professional trust that later evolved into one of the most influential politician-bureaucrat partnerships in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Administrative Assignments
Throughout his career, Prasad has held several crucial positions across Uttar Pradesh, including:
District Magistrate Posts
He has served as District Magistrate in:
- Agra
- Prayagraj (then Allahabad)
- Ayodhya (then Faizabad)
- Firozabad
- Bahraich
- Lakhimpur Kheri
Senior Administrative Roles
- Divisional Commissioner, Ayodhya
- Various leadership roles in state administration
Central Deputation
Sanjay Prasad also served on central deputation for nearly four years, holding positions as Joint Secretary in:
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Science and Technology
Rise as Uttar Pradesh’s Most Powerful Bureaucrat
Following the retirement of senior IAS officer Awanish Awasthi in 2022, Sanjay Prasad emerged as the most influential bureaucrat in the Yogi Adityanath government.
He was entrusted with the twin responsibilities of the Home and Information Departments, an unusual concentration of authority that significantly enhanced his role within the state administration.
In May 2026, he was elevated as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, further consolidating his position at the apex of Uttar Pradesh’s administrative hierarchy.
Current Responsibilities
At present, Sanjay Prasad handles a wide range of critical departments, including:
- Chief Minister’s Office Administration
- Home Department
- Information and Public Relations
- Vigilance
- Confidentiality (Gopan)
- Protocol
- Visa and Passport Matters
- Estate Department
His portfolio places him at the centre of governance, law and order management, administrative coordination, and strategic policy implementation in India’s most populous state.
Significance of the Supreme Court Order
The Supreme Court’s stay order is being viewed as a significant interim relief for the senior IAS officer.
While the Allahabad High Court had expressed concerns regarding administrative support for police reforms and judicial directives, the apex court’s intervention ensures that the adverse directions against Prasad will remain suspended until further hearings.
The case is expected to be closely watched by legal experts, civil servants, and governance observers as it touches upon the delicate balance between judicial oversight, administrative accountability, and executive decision-making.
For now, the Supreme Court’s order provides temporary relief to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential bureaucrats, while the broader legal questions raised by the High Court remain pending adjudication.
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