Delhi HC drops Lokpal case against Defence Secretary over NPC promotions
New Delhi, Nov 28: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against Defence Secretary…
New Delhi, Nov 28: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer, and other officials over alleged irregularities in promotions at the National Productivity Council (NPC).
A Division Bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidynathan Shankar delivered the judgment, effectively bringing the inquiry, launched earlier this year, to a close.
The High Court’s ruling comes after interim protection was granted by a predecessor bench, which had stayed enforcement of the Lokpal’s notices and orders. At that time, the Court had observed that the matter required “in-depth consideration” and stayed the operation of notices dated January 7, 2025, and proceedings pending before the Lokpal.
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The case arose from a complaint alleging procedural lapses in NPC promotions carried out on March 28, 2023. The Lokpal issued notices to Singh and other officials in January 2025, prompting them to seek relief from the High Court.
Petitioners (RK Singh) argued that the promotions took place before Singh assumed charge as Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on April 21, 2023, and therefore he could not be held liable.
They also contended that the Lokpal had exceeded its statutory mandate under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which restricts its jurisdiction to corruption allegations or offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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With the Court’s decision, all proceedings under this complaint before the Lokpal stand terminated, providing relief to Defence Secretary Singh, who took office on November 1, 2024, as the administrative head of the Ministry of Defence and principal adviser to the Defence Minister, along with the other officials named in the case.
