Shahjahanpur/Lucknow: In a rare and controversial development, IAS officer Rinku Singh Rahi has been transferred within 36 hours of taking charge as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Powayan in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. His removal comes after a video of him performing sit-ups while holding his ears in front of lawyers went viral on social media.
As per an official directive, Rinku Singh has now been attached to the Revenue Board in Lucknow, with his tenure in Puwaiyan cut short just a day and a half after his joining.
Officer Took Symbolic Responsibility for Poor Sanitation
Mr Rahi assumed charge as SDM late at 11 PM on July 28, 2025. On his first full working day, July 29, he noticed a clerk urinating in the open near the tehsil wall. Upon inquiry, he was informed that the toilets in the tehsil premises were in extremely poor condition, leaving staff and lawyers with no option but to relieve themselves in the open.
In an unusual display of accountability, the SDM publicly acknowledged the failure in sanitation management and stated that, as a senior officer, he would own the lapse, despite it not being directly under his purview. To demonstrate this, he performed five sit-ups holding his ears in front of the protesting lawyers – an act that sparked nationwide attention and debate.
Transfer After Government Seeks Report
The viral video triggered widespread discussions on social media, with opinions split between admiration for his humility and concerns about propriety. The state government took cognizance of the incident and sought a detailed report. Within hours of the report’s submission, Rahi was removed from his post as SDM and attached to the Revenue Council in Lucknow.
According to sources, the decision was made in light of the officer’s public conduct, which, while well-intentioned, was seen by higher authorities as inappropriate for someone in a high administrative post.
Rinku Singh Responds: “Transfer Is a Process”
Speaking to the media, Mr Rahi confirmed his transfer and maintained that he acted out of a sense of public duty.
“It was my first day, and though cleanliness is not the direct responsibility of an SDM, I wanted to send a message that officials should accept responsibility when systems fail,” he said.
“Transfer is a process. I will continue serving wherever the government posts me,” he added calmly.
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Who Is Rinku Singh Rahi?
Rinku Singh Rahi is known for his outspoken nature and has previously been in the news for raising questions on corruption in scholarship disbursals. His latest action, though unconventional, has once again put him under the spotlight for prioritizing symbolism and moral accountability in public service.
