A serious controversy has emerged involving IPS officer Shagun Gautam, who is currently posted as the Commandant of the Arms Training Centre in Sitapur, following the tragic death of his personal follower, Shailendra Pal. The deceased employee’s wife has publicly leveled severe allegations against the senior police officer and members of his residential staff, accusing them of sustained mental and physical harassment. The incident has triggered an official police investigation into the circumstances leading to the death, while simultaneously drawing renewed scrutiny toward past departmental inquiries and controversies that marked Gautam’s previous tenure as the Superintendent of Police in Rampur.
According to police authorities, Shailendra Pal, a resident of Chilwara village within the jurisdiction of the Khairabad police station area, was employed as a personal follower at the official residence of Commandant Shagun Gautam. The situation escalated dramatically on Tuesday when Pal allegedly consumed sulphas tablets. As his physical condition rapidly deteriorated, attempts were made to transport him to Lucknow for emergency medical treatment, but he succumbed before arrival. Following the demise, Pal’s grieving family refused to perform his last rites and launched a protest, demanding immediate and appropriate legal action against those responsible for driving him to the extreme step.
Allegations of Illegal Detention and Financial Extortion
In the wake of her husband’s death, Sarita Pal reached the office of the Sitapur Superintendent of Police to stage a formal protest and submit a detailed complaint. She stated that the trouble began on June 25, when certain items were reported missing from the Commandant’s official residence. Following the alleged theft, Shailendra Pal was repeatedly summoned for questioning by the household staff and management. Sarita Pal alleged that her husband was subsequently subjected to illegal detention for several days, during which he was physically assaulted and subjected to continuous interrogation.
The complainant further alleged that the residence staff confiscated her husband’s mobile phone and identification documents, including his Aadhaar card, effectively cutting him off from communication. Furthermore, she claimed that intense pressure was exerted on the follower to pay a sum of ₹5 lakh to resolve the matter. According to the family, the unrelenting mental pressure, fear, and physical abuse directly forced Pal to end his life. The deceased leaves behind his wife and a three-year-old son, plunging the family into deep emotional and financial distress.
Police Launch Inquiry Amid Rising Local Tensions
Superintendent of Police Ankur Agrawal confirmed that an official investigation has been initiated based on the formal complaint submitted by the deceased’s wife. Agrawal stated that senior officials are actively examining the matter and that subsequent legal actions will be determined strictly based on the gathered evidence. In the meantime, police records have revealed a parallel timeline regarding the alleged theft at the residence. A separate case had already been registered against an individual named Shubham concerning the missing items.
Following that initial theft incident, an altercation reportedly occurred between Shailendra Pal and Shubham, which led to a cross-case of assault being registered against Pal. However, senior police officials clarified that Pal had not been formally detained or placed under arrest by the police department in connection with that specific assault case. Due to mounting anger over the follower’s death, the local administration deployed additional security personnel to Chilwara village to maintain law and order and prevent any further escalation of tensions.
Past Rampur Tenures and Departmental Inquiries Reopened
The gravity of the current situation in Sitapur has brought fresh attention to earlier controversies connected to Gautam’s tenure as the Superintendent of Police in Rampur, where he served from March 1, 2020, to August 1, 2021. During that period, multiple allegations of irregularities and questionable police functioning had drawn public and governmental scrutiny. One notable case involved a complaint by RTI activist Danish Khan, who alerted the Chief Minister to an alleged video detailing a financial settlement in a gang rape case. The case resulted in the suspension of then City Circle Officer Vidya Kishore Sharma, and subsequent departmental proceedings were initiated against both Sharma and Gautam over allegations of encouraging corruption.
Additionally, Gautam’s tenure in Rampur was marked by a major dispute involving the illegal diversion of Extra Neutral Alcohol. In June 2020, the Special Task Force intercepted a tanker carrying 25,000 litres of ENA in the Shahzadnagar area, leading to multiple arrests. Allegations later surfaced that local police and excise officials had compromised the investigation following unauthorized financial dealings. While departmental reviews and reports regarding these past matters were previously sent to the state government, the current inquiry in Sitapur remains focused on analyzing direct witness statements, medical records, and procedural documents to determine accountability.
