Delhi High Court stays Lokpal proceedings against Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

The Delhi High Court on March 20 stayed proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and others in connection with alleged irregularities in promotions at the National Productivity Council (NPC). .A Division Bench of Justices Chandra Dari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani also stayed the operation of orders and notices issued by the Lokpal Singh and others. “This Court is of the view that the instant matter requires in-depth consideration. In light of the same, this Court is inclined to grant stay on the operation of the impugned order dated 6th January, 2025, the notices dated 7th January, 2025, order dated 04 th March 2025 and the proceedings pending before the respondent – Lokpal under Complaint No. 162/2024," the Court said. .The case stems from a complaint alleging irregularities in promotions conducted by the NPC on March 28, 2023. The Lokpal had issued notices to Rajesh Kumar Singh (petitioners) in connection with this case in January this year.These Lokpal proceedings were then challenged by Singh and other petitioners before the High Court.The petitioners contended that the promotions in question occurred before Rajesh Kumar Singh assumed the role of Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), on April 21, 2023. They added that the Lokpal’s actions were beyond its jurisdiction, as the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, mandates that complaints must involve allegations of corruption or offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The petitioners maintained that allegations of irregularities in promotions would not fall within this ambit. .The petitioners sought a stay on the Lokpal proceedings, as well as the Lokpal’s order dated January 6, 2025, and notices dated January 7, 2025, which directed them to appear before the Lokpal. They also challenged a subsequent order dated March 4, 2025, in which the Lokpal rejected their preliminary objections regarding jurisdiction..The High Court opined that the matter required in-depth consideration. The Bench observed that the Lokpal’s jurisdiction was under challenge. It also took note of the submission that the allegations did not prima facie involve any corruption or violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act.Consequently, the Bench stayed the Lokpal's proceedings in this matter until July 24, 2025, when the case is listed next before the High Court.The Court also directed the Lokpal of India to file a reply within four weeks..Rajesh Kumar Singh is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1989 Kerala cadre. He has held several key government positions, including Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. On November 1, 2024, he was appointed as the 40th Defence Secretary of India, succeeding Giridhar Aramane. Throughout his career, Singh has been involved in various administrative and policy-making roles within the Indian government..Rajesh Kumar Singh was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh with Advocates Varun Singh, Deepeika Kalia, Kajal Gupta, Somesa Gupta and Sudeep Chandra..[Read Order]