Retribution in northeast confused State: Independent to probe? (7)
I believe the answer is:
nemesis
'retribution' is the definition.
(spirit of retribution in Greek mythology)
'northeast confused state independent to probe?' is the wordplay.
'northeast' becomes 'NE' (abbreviation).
'confused state' becomes 'mess'.
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'to probe?' is an insertion indicator.
'mess' going around 'i' is 'mesis'.
'ne'+'mesis'='NEMESIS'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for nemesis that I've seen before include "E'en miss (anag.)" , "Nee Miss (anag.)" , "curse" , "Come-uppance" , "Fate" .)