SDM of Sabroom Transferred Following Controversy with Lawyer

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 15, 2026

The Tripura government has transferred Sabroom Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Abhijit Singh Yadav, IAS, following a controversy arising out of an alleged altercation with a lawyer, which triggered strong protests from the legal fraternity.

The young IAS officer landed in the eye of a storm after accusations of using inappropriate behaviour towards a senior lawyer at Sabroom court premises. The issue escalated rapidly, prompting the Tripura Bar Association to intervene. On Tuesday evening, a delegation of the Bar Association met Chief Secretary JK Sinha and submitted a three-point charter of demands, setting a deadline of three days for action. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary assured the delegation that Abhijit Singh Yadav would be removed from the post of SDM, Sabroom.

Within twenty-four hours of that assurance, the state administration acted. On Wednesday, the General Administration Department issued a notification signed by Under Secretary Joy Dutta, vide No.F.2(1)-GA (P&T) / 2020 (P-I) dated 13 January 2026, announcing a minor reshuffle in the administrative setup.

As per the order, Abhijit Singh Yadav has been relieved from the post of SDM, Sabroom, and appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Revenue Department. He has been replaced by Suman Rakshit, who was serving as Treasury Officer in Agartala. Additionally, DC Nava Kumar Jamatia of the West District Collectorate has been given the additional charge of Treasury Officer. Notably, the newly appointed SDM Suman Rakshit has prior experience of serving in the Sabroom subdivision.

Earlier, lawyers had warned of launching a larger agitation if their demands were not met, a risk the administration was unwilling to take.

Meanwhile, Abhijit Singh Yadav has denied the allegations of misconduct. According to his clarification, he did not behave discourteously with the lawyer concerned. He stated that he merely suggested that litigants whose cases were listed for earlier hearings be allowed to sit on the front benches of the courtroom. He claimed that lawyer Ratan Nath became agitated over this remark and subsequently misled some of his colleagues, leading to the controversy.

Despite the denial, the incident has cost Abhijit Singh Yadav his SDM posting within just one and a half months. It is also significant that advocate Ratan Nath has filed a case against the SDM at Sabroom police station.

With administrative action already taken and legal proceedings underway, it remains to be seen how the matter unfolds in the coming days and whether the controversy leaves a deeper impact on the administration–legal fraternity relationship in Sabroom.

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