Jalaun (Uttar Pradesh): An administrative controversy has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh‘s Jalaun district after 2023-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer Rinkoo Singh Rahee, currently serving as Joint Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial), allegedly spent nearly six hours waiting in the newly constructed Orai Tehsil building after he was not allotted a courtroom or office chamber to begin judicial work.
The incident delayed the commencement of judicial proceedings and raised questions over preparedness for the functioning of the newly constructed Tehsil complex.
Officer Arrives to Shift Court to New Tehsil Building
According to official instructions, judicial proceedings were to commence from the newly built Tehsil complex. Acting on these directions, IAS Rinkoo Singh Rahee reached the new building around 3 PM on Monday, accompanied by court staff, office furniture and important judicial records.
However, upon reaching the premises, he reportedly found that no courtroom or office chamber had been earmarked for him. Several rooms in the building remained locked, leaving court records and office furniture temporarily placed in the open.
The absence of designated office space also raised concerns over the security and handling of sensitive judicial documents.
Concern Over Safety of Judicial Records
During the prolonged wait, the Joint Magistrate expressed serious concern regarding the security of official records.
He reportedly informed administrative officials that judicial records are highly sensitive and cannot be handled without properly designated courtrooms and office chambers. He maintained that judicial work could not begin until formal allocation of separate spaces for the court and office was made.
According to sources, Mr Rahee even indicated that he was prepared to remain inside the Tehsil premises overnight if necessary to ensure the safety of the court records.
Disagreement Over Shared Courtroom
Sources said the administration had initially proposed that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Sadar) and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial) function from the same premises.
However, citing the independent nature of judicial work and the need to safeguard official records, Rinkoo Singh Rahee insisted on a written order allotting a separate courtroom and office chamber.
The disagreement over chamber allocation continued throughout the evening, with no immediate resolution.
Returned to Old Office After Six-Hour Wait
The stalemate continued until around 9 PM, after which higher administrative authorities directed that judicial work should continue from the existing office.
Following these instructions, the officer returned to his old office, effectively postponing the proposed shift of judicial proceedings to the new Tehsil building.
Officer Explains Sequence of Events
Presenting his version, IAS officer Rinkoo Singh Rahee said discussions regarding the office shift had already taken place with the SDM (Orai) around 1 PM.
He stated that he had personally contacted the Tehsil Nazir, while his court clerk (Peshkar) and staff had earlier visited the premises, coordinated with officials and identified the chamber that was expected to be allotted.
However, when he reached the building with office materials, he found that the day’s work had concluded before 4 PM, staff members had locked the rooms and left the premises, leaving no arrangements for the shifting process.
Administration Says Chamber Allocation Yet to Be Finalised
Responding to the controversy, Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) Rajiv Raj clarified that the final allocation of chambers in the new Tehsil building has not yet been completed.
He said that, until the allocation process is finalised, both the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Sadar) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial) have been instructed to continue functioning from the Collectorate premises, as they were doing earlier.
The ADM added that the final allotment of courtrooms and office chambers in the new Tehsil complex would be completed soon, after which judicial work would shift to the new building.
Issue Highlights Importance of Administrative Coordination
The incident has drawn attention to the importance of proper administrative coordination before shifting judicial offices. While the new Tehsil building is intended to improve public service delivery, the lack of readiness in allotting courtrooms and office space resulted in an avoidable delay in judicial work and triggered an administrative controversy.
