Suspended on Haryana Gau Seva Aayog chief’s complaint, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department officer cleared in 2 probes

In an order issued on December 4, Pankaj Agarwal, Principal Secretary (Agriculture), Haryana, stated: “…the inquiry committee has concluded that in absence of any cogent evidence etc, as the complainant miserable failed to place on record the same, this committee is not in a position to comment upon the content of the complainant and accordingly, find nothing against Sh. Girish Nagpal, Deputy Director Agriculture, Jind in this complaint as well as no evidence of corruption etc. on record.”

“On careful consideration of enquiry report date 28.03.2025, the Governor of Haryana is fully agreed with the conclusion reached at by the inquiry committee. Accordingly, the Governor of Haryana is pleased to file (close) the complaint received from Sh. Sarwan Kumar Garg, chairman, Haryana Seva Aayog against Sh. Girish Nagpal, Deputy Director, Agriculture, Jind and withdrew the suspension order dated 17.07.2024,” Agarwal added.

Nagpal vs Garg

In July 2024, a day after his suspension, Nagpal approached the High Court detailing the sequence of events that led to his suspension. Seeking to quash the order, he alleged that he was suspended on the basis of an unsubstantiated and motivated complaint by a person “who himself is indulging in activity that on the face of it (is) illegal and not permissible”.

Nagpal said Garg’s pesticide unit in Jind had applied for “addition of new products” in its license. The Agriculture Department headquarters directed Nagpal to check whether the unit was complying with the provisions of The Insecticides Act, 1968. Nagpal alleged that the unit had failed to submit mandatory monthly production and sales reports, prompting him to issue a notice highlighting the lapse and questioning why the application should not be rejected.

He further alleged that Garg was “exerting pressure on the petitioner for endorsement of additional products, which was not done by him as the practice of online sale of agriculture inputs is not permissible”. Nagpal claimed that during his inspection, he found the unit engaged in online sales of pesticides and employing more than 60 persons for the purpose.

According to Nagpal, Garg submitted a one-page complaint to the government on July 16, 2024, alleging that the deputy director was “taking bribes for every work and therefore, immediate action may be taken against him”. Nagpal was suspended the following day. However, according to Nagpal, the High Court had stayed the suspension orders on September 24, 2024.

On November 13 this year, as the state counsel sought more time to file a reply, the High Court granted “last opportunity to do the needful”. The matter was adjourned to March 19, 2026, with the court observing “reply, if any, be filed at least one week prior to the next date of hearing” with an advance copy to the opposite counsel.

Probes against Nagpal

Nagpal faced two inquiries based on Garg’s complaint.

The first panel, conducted by Rohtak Singh, Additional Director, submitted its report on September 5, 2024, recommending closure of the complaint, noting that “one the basis of facts, documents and circumstances in the absence of any conclusive evidence, he didn’t find any force in the complaint”.

The government, however, ordered a fresh inquiry “as per HCS rules”.

This second inquiry panel, led by R S Solanki, Additional Director, submitted its report on March 28 this year, also clearing Nagpal. The Agriculture Department forwarded the report to the government on June 30, and the suspension order was withdrawn on December 4.

When asked about Nagpal’s clean chit, Garg said it was a matter for the department concerned. On Nagpal’s allegations, he responded: “He has filed a petition before the court; I will also file my reply to the court.”

Nagpal, who holds postgraduate degrees in horticulture, law, and public administration, was appointed subject matter specialist by the Haryana Public Service Commission in 2004. Over his 20 years of service, he has received several certificates of appreciation from state agencies for his “distinguished contribution to farmers’ welfare”.