Noida: Serious allegations of harassment, exploitation, and intimidation have surfaced against 2018 batch IAS officer Sandeep Bhagia, currently posted as Additional Commissioner in the Noida office of the Uttar Pradesh State Tax Department (GST). A group of female officers working under him have submitted a detailed complaint to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alleging persistent inappropriate behavior and abuse of authority.
The complaint, dated August 5, outlines a series of troubling incidents that the officers claim have continued for the past four months, since Mr Bhagia assumed charge in the Noida zone.
Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct and Threats
According to the complaint, the IAS officer–
- Stares at female officers for hours, often making them sit or stand in his office unnecessarily.
- Makes repeated late-night and video calls to women staff members.
- Uses abusive and threatening language, including remarks like “If you don’t obey, I’ll get you fired.”
- Secretly records videos of female officers in the office.
- Punishes dissenting officers by implicating them in false charges like negligence or information leaks.
The letter alleges that IAS Bhagia creates an environment of fear and subjugation, and that any female officer who objects is threatened with suspension or disciplinary action.
Complaint Sent to Top Authorities
The letter has been sent not only to CM Yogi Adityanath, but also to–
- The Governor of Uttar Pradesh
- UP State Women’s Commission
- Chief Secretary
- Additional Chief Secretary (CM’s Office)
- Additional Chief Secretary (State Tax Department)
- Commissioner of State Tax, Lucknow
The women officers, part of the Flying Squad and Sector units, state they were compelled to escalate the matter due to the worsening work environment and the lack of internal redressal mechanisms.
“We are forced to write this with a heavy heart. On one side, the government promotes ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, and on the other, officers like Bhagia are crushing the dignity of women,” the letter reads.
Demand for Independent Investigation
The officers have demanded a confidential investigation, preferably by the State Women’s Commission or an independent inquiry agency. Sources confirmed that the government received the public complaint and has issued instructions to initiate a probe.
This complaint comes amid heightened sensitivity in the department—just weeks after seven officers were suspended in a separate harassment case, further spotlighting concerns over workplace safety and abuse of power.
Background: Who is Sandeep Bhagia?
- Batch: IAS 2018
- Rank: AIR 30 in UPSC 2017
- Educational Background: Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi
- Previous Postings:
- Joint Magistrate, Meerut
- CDO, Muzaffarnagar
- Officer in Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) before joining IAS
IAS Bhagia, originally from Lucknow, comes from a humble background. His father is a sevadar at Shiv Shanti Ashram. Bhagia’s UPSC journey gained attention for his perseverance – cracking the exam in his fifth and final attempt.
Despite a promising career, these allegations now place him at the center of a growing controversy that raises questions about accountability, workplace ethics, and power dynamics in administrative services.
