The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered a Special Task Force (STF) investigation into the controversial rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College, Barabanki. Observing that the reinstatement was “prima facie illegal,” the court directed the immediate transfer of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, and the recovery of salaries paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
The order was passed by a bench of Justice Rajeev Singh on Friday during the hearing of a petition filed by the college’s management committee. The court raised serious concerns regarding the potential manipulation of records and misleading submissions by education department officials.
The case centers on Abhay Kumar, who was appointed as an assistant teacher at City Intermediate College in 2018. In June 2024, Kumar left his post to join an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer. Crucially, the court noted that he made this move without obtaining the necessary permission from the college management.
While Kumar requested to retain his lien (the right to return to his original post), this request was formally rejected. However, in September 2025, Kumar was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki college following directives from the Joint Director of Education (Ayodhya Division) and the DIOS, Barabanki. He subsequently received a salary for October 2025.
Justice Rajeev Singh characterized the rejoining as “wholly illegal” and devoid of any legal basis. The court expressed strong suspicion regarding the conduct of the DIOS, the college principal, and the teacher, suggesting a coordinated effort to bypass regulations.
To ensure a fair and transparent investigation, the court issued the following directives:
- STF Inquiry: A detailed probe by the Special Task Force into the irregularities surrounding the rejoining.
- Official Transfers: The immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to prevent any interference with the investigation.
- Disciplinary Action: Initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then Joint Director of Education of the Ayodhya division.
- Financial Recovery: The recovery of all salary payments made to Abhay Kumar during the disputed period.
The bench also highlighted significant lapses in communication within the state’s education department. To prevent similar disputes and ensure accountability, the court directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that all official orders are communicated through modern digital channels, including email and WhatsApp, in addition to traditional methods.
The matter is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on May 28, 2026, at which time a compliance report regarding the court’s directions must be submitted.
