Jalaun (Uttar Pradesh): A fresh controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh‘s Jalaun district after the District Bar Association announced a boycott of revenue courts against 2023-batch IAS officer Rinkoo Singh Rahee, currently serving as SDM (Judicial), Orai. The lawyers have accused the officer of irregularities in court proceedings and alleged discourteous behaviour, while the IAS officer has strongly defended his functioning, releasing a 2-hour-48-minute video of court proceedings to demonstrate transparency and adherence to rules.
The standoff, which came into effect from Tuesday (August 5), is expected to affect the hearing of hundreds of pending revenue cases, including land disputes, mutation, demarcation and succession matters.
Bar Association Announces Boycott
The confrontation escalated after the Jalaun District Bar Association declared that its members would abstain from appearing in revenue courts until changes are made in the working style of the SDM (Judicial).
According to a letter issued by Omnarayan Singh, Vice President of the District Bar Association, advocates have submitted complaints against Rinkoo Singh Rahee to District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Pandey on three separate occasions.
The Bar Association has alleged that:
- The SDM (Judicial) passes ex parte orders in the absence of lawyers and litigants.
- Advocates are allegedly subjected to rude behaviour during court proceedings.
- The officer’s functioning is affecting the smooth conduct of judicial work.
The association has maintained that the boycott will continue until there is a noticeable change in the officer’s working style.
Read also: Why Was IAS Rinkoo Singh Rahee Left Without a Chamber? Six-Hour Wait Sparks Jalaun Tehsil Row
Hundreds of Revenue Cases May Be Affected
The boycott is expected to significantly impact the functioning of revenue courts across the district.
Cases that may witness delays include:
- Land mutation (dakhil-kharij)
- Boundary and demarcation disputes
- Land ownership disputes
- Succession-related revenue matters
- Revenue appeals pending before Tehsil courts
With advocates staying away from court proceedings, hearings in a large number of cases could be adjourned, causing inconvenience to litigants awaiting decisions.
IAS Officer Releases Nearly Three-Hour Court Video
Amid mounting allegations, IAS officer Rinkoo Singh Rahee released a video of court proceedings lasting approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes on social media.
The footage reportedly captures routine court proceedings without any visible confrontation or heated exchanges. By making the video public, the officer appears to have sought to demonstrate transparency in his judicial functioning and counter allegations levelled against him.
‘Working Strictly According to Rules’
Responding to the controversy, Rinkoo Singh Rahee rejected allegations of misconduct and asserted that every decision taken by him is in accordance with established legal procedures.
He stated that: “I am functioning strictly according to the rules. I have no personal dispute with any advocate or individual. My priority is to dispose of cases in accordance with the law.”
The officer maintained that he remains committed to ensuring that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and legally.
Not the First Controversy
This is not the first time the 2023-batch IAS officer has found himself at the centre of public debate in Jalaun.
Since assuming charge as SDM (Judicial), Orai Tehsil, on May 5, several controversies have surrounded his tenure.
Among the prominent developments:
- Questions were raised by teachers, lekhpals, traders and Tehsil employees regarding his working style soon after his posting.
- On June 23, an inspection of a cold storage facility owned by a BJP Block Pramukh led to allegations of a scuffle and an attempted slap. The matter is being investigated by ADM (Finance & Revenue) Rajiv Raj and ASP Ishant Soni, with the inquiry still underway.
- A July communication advocating the principle of “Half Work, Half Pay” triggered widespread discussion among government employees and administrative circles.
- On July 28, following his removal from the inquiry team investigating the Orai Municipality, an exchange of allegations between ADM Premchandra Maurya and Rinkoo Singh Rahee also attracted public attention.
These developments have ensured that the officer has remained in the spotlight throughout his tenure in the district.
Administration Closely Monitoring Situation
The district administration is closely watching the evolving situation as concerns grow over disruption in revenue court proceedings.
Officials are reportedly making efforts to resolve the impasse between the Bar Association and the administration so that judicial work remains unaffected. However, it remains unclear whether formal discussions between both sides will take place immediately.
For now, the functioning of Jalaun’s revenue courts and the fate of hundreds of pending cases remain uncertain as the boycott begins.
