Abhishek Singh, a 2011 batch IAS officer has finally resigned for services after remaining suspended for eight months. Singh hogged the limelight when he was removed from Gujarat election duty in November last year for flaunting his official capacity of Observer in a photograph posted on social media. The election commission had considered that as an improper conduct.
His wife Durga Shakti Nagpal is also an IAS officer of 2010 batch and is currently serving as district magistrate of Banda district. She had also hit the headlines in 2013 when Akhilesh Yadav had suspended her for taking strict action against mining mafia in Noida. She was then serving as SDM.
Why Singh was suspended
Abhishek Singh, who had walked the ramp and worked in albums and movies, had been ‘absconding' service since he was relieved from Delhi government where he had been on deputation. He went on deputation in 2015 for three years and got it extended for another two years. During those two years, he was on medical leave. The Delhi government repatriated him to UP cadre in March 2020. Since then he didn't turn up and remained on unsanctioned leave for long.
Later in June 2022, he gave joining to the Uttar Pradesh government, which sent him as an observer in Gujarat election. The election commission removed him from there and sent him back. But since then he has been ‘absconding' from services.
The department of personnel wrote him several times about his rejoining but he didn't reply. In February 2023, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath suspended him for not attending office without any intimation or formal leave.
What will Abhishek do?
Abhishek with his wife Durga Shakti Nagpal
A movie enthusiast, Abhishek is likely to enter the entertainment world. He has gained recognition for his work in Netflix's ‘Delhi Crime' series, and has also appeared in a short film, 'Chaar Pandrah'. He has also featured in B Praak's song, ‘Dil Tod Ke'. People close to him say that Singh will either enter entertainment industry or contest election. He has more than 30 lakh followers on social media.
Singh recently organised a grand Ganeshotsav event in his home town Jaunpur, seen as part of his preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite his previous controversy, he defended his actions as a public servant reporting for duty to the public.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
