LUCKNOW, May 31 -- Allegations and counter-allegations emerged a day after two senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers came to blows at the income tax office in Lucknow on Thursday. A lingering dispute over a departmental cricket match, which is said to have led to the physical altercation between the two, resulted in an FIR against joint commissioner Yogendra Kumar Mishra for allegedly assaulting deputy commissioner Gaurav Garg. Based on Garg's complaint, a case was registered against Mishra at the Hazratganj police station on Friday under sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 121(2) (causing hurt to public servant), 221 (obstruction of duty), 324(3) (mischief), 352 (intentional insult) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS, along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, said DCP (central) Ashish Srivastava. However, Mishra took to X and claimed that he was being targeted for exposing irregularities in tax investigations carried out during his predecessor's tenure in Kanpur. "Since 2022, after I succeeded Gaurav Garg, IRS, in Kanpur, I reported serious lapses in tax investigations during his tenure. This led to sustained vendetta against me. On February 13, minor dispute at a departmental cricket match was amicably resolved. Yet, a distorted video of this settled incident was leaked by Gaurav Garg to malign my reputation. On March 29, this old video was circulated on Twitter by a journalist," he added. On Thursday, the situation took an ugly turn when one officer allegedly slapped the other during a verbal duel. In retaliation, the latter allegedly picked up a glass tumbler and hurled it at the former, striking him on the head and face, which Mishra denied. "The incident on May 29 has resulted in an FIR against joint commissioner Yogendra Kumar Mishra for allegedly assaulting deputy commissioner Gaurav Garg, a clash rooted in a months-old disagreement since a February cricket tournament," said DCP (central) Ashish Srivastava. The complainant, Gaurav Garg, a 2016 batch IRS officer stationed at the I-T office in Narhi, claimed that Yogendra Kumar Mishra, a 2014 batch IRS officer currently posted in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, forcibly entered a closed-door departmental meeting and attacked him. According to Garg's complaint, the conflict originated in Feb 2025, when Mishra, then based in Lucknow, allegedly demanded that he be made captain of the departmental cricket team for a tournament. "Mishra told everyone to make him play and also make him the captain. The matter reached the principal chief commissioner (PCC). It was decided that those who played quarter-finals will play semi-finals and finals also. On the day of the final, Mishra lay down on the cricket pitch and started saying that if he is not made to play, he will not let the match happen. The PCC told him that if he did not move from the pitch, action will be taken against him. Because the match was being organized officially, he caused hindrance in government work," read the FIR. "Mishra continued harassing team members over WhatsApp, issuing threats," alleged Garg. Over a dozen complaints were reportedly filed, following which Mishra was transferred to Uttarakhand. However, on Thursday, he allegedly stormed into the 6th-floor office where a farewell was being planned for the outgoing PCC. Mishra accused officials of plotting against him, and demanded the cancellation of his transfer orders. He allegedly threw water on Garg using a glass tumbler and tried to attack him with the broken glass. When Garg attempted to leave the room with his laptop, Mishra allegedly grabbed him from behind by the throat, stated the complaint. Mishra, however, stated: "On March 30, I was abruptly transferred from Lucknow based on the concocted video. The transfer order was circulated to the media before even being officially issued to me, a clear violation of protocol. On April 28, 2025, I filed an RTI seeking the official basis for my transfer. No response was provided by Garg, who is also the CPIO. My visit to CIT (Admin) on May 29, was to formally request this information where Garg assaulted me." "I did not retaliate...the entire incident is captured on CCTV cam and witnessed by multiple officers. I urge authorities to conduct a fair, evidence-based inquiry before entertaining any malicious or frivolous FIR against me," he further wrote. Speaking to HT, Mishra claimed he never used a glass, "It was my ring, which hurt Garg's face a bit... in self defence. I have mailed the complaint to the Lucknow Police ,and it should be taken as a formal complaint," he said. After the clash at the I-T office, the police were alerted via Dial 112, and Garg was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where he reportedly fainted due to blood loss and trauma. He remains under medical care. Asked if a cross-FIR will be lodged on Yogendra Mishra's complaint, DCP (central) Ashish Srivastava said: "The person has not given any complaint to the police in person. How would the police ensure that the ID on social media, from which the complaint was filed, was genuine." "We are verifying medical reports, CCTV footage and statements of all present in the meeting," said ACP (Hazratganj ) Vikas Jaiswal....