'You Aren't Governor Of District': Allahabad HC Raps Pratapgarh DM For Seeking Explanation From 'Dist. Inspector Of Schools'

“The District Magistrate will bear in mind that he is head of the revenue district and not the Governor of the district,” a bench of Justice JJ Munir said as it directed the DM concerned to file his personal affidavit in the matter.

Essentially, the DM concerned had passed an order concerning the education department directing the District Inspector of Schools to hold an inquiry into the selection process relating to a private-aided institution.

Taking exception to the said order, the Court observed that the District Inspector of Schools is a district-level officer and head of the education department, and isn't answerable to the District Magistrate.

“… (he is) answerable to the higher functionaries in the department of education like the Deputy Director of Education, the Joint Director of Education, the Director, Education Secondary, the Principal or Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Secondary Education and the Hon'ble Minister in the department of education. The District Magistrate does not figure anywhere in the hierarchy,” the Court noted.

In this perspective, the Court directed the District Magistrate to explain, by his personal affidavit, under what authority he passed the order impugned.

The matter will come up for hearing before the HC on May 3.