Agra: Preparations underway to open two record rooms of BSA office sealed after 2019 fire, documents will be useful in STF probe of 7,775 teachers

Approval process

The file to open the rooms is currently at the ADM City level. After the proceedings are completed there, it will go to the Chief Development Officer. Upon receiving his recommendation, the District Magistrate will take the final decision. The locks of both rooms can only be opened after the District Magistrate's permission.

BSA Dr. Rakesh Singh stated that the file is in process and as soon as permission is received, the locks will be opened and the documents will be made available.

2019 fire and sealing

On the night of Vijayadashami, October 8, 2019, a fire broke out in the record room of the BSA office. The then BSA Onkar Singh had filed an FIR against unknown persons. Following this, a committee was formed on the instructions of the then District Magistrate, which sealed the rooms. The keys to the rooms were deposited in a secure lock at the District Treasury. This means these documents have been locked for more than seven years.

The fire was investigated by the Crime Branch. In the report dated 22 September 2023, Sub-Inspector Anuj Kumar Soni could not identify any accused.

What is locked in the rooms

According to officials, files of teacher recruitments that took place between 2011 and 2018 are kept in these rooms. The original educational records of teachers who came on inter-district transfer in 2015 are also in these rooms.

These records are needed for two investigations. On the instructions of the Director of Education (Basic), the certificates of 2,000 teachers are to be verified. Meanwhile, on the orders of the High Court, the STF will investigate the educational certificates of 7,775 teachers. This investigation is being conducted in the context of allegations of appointment of fake teachers.

Verification process underway in the state

In Uttar Pradesh, the STF and the Basic Education Department are currently jointly verifying the educational and appointment-related documents of teachers in council schools. According to officials, this action has been expedited on the instructions of the Allahabad High Court. In various districts, teachers' records are being collected through Block Education Officers and entered into an Excel sheet. These will be sent from the BSA office to the concerned range of the STF. A notarized affidavit has also been sought from the teachers, in which details of close relatives working or retired in the department will have to be provided.

Court and Law Officer's opinion

Some female teachers had filed a case in court to get their documents back. The court had directed the BSA to provide the documents on 22 July 2024. District Government Counsel Basant Kumar Gupta has also given a clear opinion in favor of opening the record room.

Teacher organization's stance

UUTA District General Secretary Rajiv Verma said that no teacher has any objection to the investigation. According to him, teachers whose original documents are kept in the locked rooms should get them back.

What next

Now all eyes are on the District Magistrate's approval. The rooms will open as soon as approval is received. After that, the records will be made available for the STF investigation and verification. Along with this, the path will also be cleared for returning original documents to the concerned teachers in cases involving court orders.