Lucknow: IAS officer Abhay Singh has returned to the spotlight after the Election Commission removed him from his assignment as observer for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers’ Legislative Council constituency ahead of vote counting on October 27, 2026.
The decision followed a complaint by BJP MLC Devendra Pratap Singh, who questioned Abhay Singh’s appointment and referred to the IAS officer’s alleged involvement in a 2019 illegal mining case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Election Commission subsequently assigned the observer’s responsibility to Prakash Bindu, a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh-cadre. He was directed to take charge immediately.
Who Is IAS Abhay Singh?
Abhay Singh is a 2007-batch Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He entered the service through direct recruitment after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
Over his administrative career, Singh has held several district-level and senior secretariat positions in Uttar Pradesh.
Previous Administrative Postings
Singh has served in several districts and departments during his career. Some of his notable assignments include:
- District Magistrate, Gonda: Served from April 2012 to September 2013.
- District Magistrate, Fatehpur: Held the position from September 2013 to August 2014.
- District Magistrate, Bahraich: Served from January 2015 to February 2017.
- District Magistrate, Rae Bareli: Served from April to September 2017.
- Special Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology Department: Served from September 2017 to August 2018.
- Special Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Government: Handled responsibilities associated with the Election Department.
- District Magistrate, Bulandshahr: Took charge in February 2019.
He subsequently served in the Reorganisation and Coordination Department of the Uttar Pradesh government, including as Special Secretary and Secretary.
He was also Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission before being appointed Member (Judicial) of the Board of Revenue in April 2025.
Why Did His Name Emerge in the 2019 Illegal Mining Case?
Abhay Singh first attracted considerable attention in July 2019 when the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations in Uttar Pradesh in connection with alleged irregularities in mining lease renewals.
The investigation concerned alleged violations of the state’s e-tendering policy during the renewal of mining licences. At the time of the alleged irregularities, Singh was serving as District Magistrate of Fatehpur.
The CBI registered a case naming Singh and conducted a search at his official residence in Bulandshahr. According to reports citing investigating agency officials, approximately ₹47 lakh in cash was recovered during the search.
Singh, however, maintained that the money was accounted for and that he had provided documents to the investigating team. He also clarified that the investigation concerned alleged irregularities during his Fatehpur posting, not his tenure as District Magistrate of Bulandshahr.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently questioned him in September 2019 as part of its investigation into the alleged mining irregularities.
The allegations and investigation brought his name into the public spotlight.
Why Was He Removed as Election Observer in October 2026?
The latest development concerns his appointment as election observer for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers’ Legislative Council constituency.
On October 23, BJP MLC Devendra Pratap Singh reportedly sent a complaint to the Election Commission questioning Abhay Singh’s appointment. He referred to the 2019 CBI case and sought consideration of the investigation’s status and related circumstances.
Ahead of the counting scheduled for October 27, the Election Commission replaced Singh with IAS officer Prakash Bindu.
The change brought renewed attention to the 2019 mining investigation and the administrative career of the 2007-batch officer.
