The Jalaun district administration in Uttar Pradesh has ordered an official inquiry after IAS officer Rinkoo Singh Rahee, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Jalaun, was accused by BJP Block Pramukh Ram Raja Niranjan of allegedly shoving him and attempting to slap him during an inspection of a cold storage facility.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on June 23, came into public focus after CCTV footage released by Niranjan surfaced on June 30. Rahee has denied all allegations, describing them as false and misleading.
Alleged Incident During Cold Storage Inspection
According to Ram Raja Niranjan, a joint inspection team headed by SDM Rinkoo Singh Rahee visited a cold storage facility in Mitara Orai village, where Niranjan is a major shareholder.
Niranjan alleged that after questioning him about compliance issues, the SDM instructed officials to activate the facility's fire pump and simultaneously demanded that all relevant documents be produced within two-and-a-half minutes.
He claimed the documents were being brought when the situation escalated.
According to Niranjan, the SDM allegedly attempted to slap him and pushed him during the inspection in the presence of farmers, labourers, and staff. He stated that CCTV footage captured the sequence of events.
IAS Officer Rejects Allegations
Rinkoo Singh Rahee has categorically denied the allegations.
According to the SDM, the video circulating publicly represents only a partial account of the incident and should not be treated as conclusive evidence.
He stated that Niranjan brought his mobile phone extremely close while recording the inspection and that he merely moved the device aside to prevent an unpleasant situation, denying any attempt to slap the BJP leader.
Regarding the allegation of pushing, Rahee said he acted only to maintain an appropriate physical distance after Niranjan moved into close proximity during the inspection.
District Administration Orders Inquiry
Following the complaint, District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Pandey constituted a two-member inquiry committee to examine the matter.
Additional District Magistrate Rajeev Raj, a member of the committee, confirmed that notices have been issued to both Ram Raja Niranjan and Rinkoo Singh Rahee, directing them to record their statements.
The committee will also examine CCTV footage and record statements from witnesses present during the inspection before submitting its findings.
Officer Has Previously Been in Public Spotlight
Rinkoo Singh Rahee has previously attracted public attention over administrative matters.
Earlier this year, while serving with the Board of Revenue in Lucknow, he wrote to the President of India seeking a technical resignation and requesting repatriation to his previous service, alleging prolonged denial of field postings.
Before joining the Indian Administrative Service, Rahee served in the Provincial Civil Service (PCS) and had earlier exposed an alleged social welfare scam in Muzaffarnagar. In 2009, he survived a gun attack after raising corruption allegations.
Following his promotion to the IAS, he was also transferred from Shahjahanpur after a video related to a lawyers' protest became widely circulated.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have emphasized that the inquiry is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been reached.
The investigation will examine documentary evidence, CCTV recordings, and witness testimonies before determining whether any misconduct occurred during the inspection.
Shunyatax Global Insight
The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public administration, particularly when disputes arise between elected representatives and civil servants. With conflicting accounts from both sides, the official inquiry is expected to establish the factual sequence of events based on available evidence rather than public perception.
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