Delhi High Court Stays Lokpal Proceedings Against Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

The Delhi High Court has stayed the Lokpal proceedings against Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and others. A division bench of Justice Chandradhari and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued the stay order. The court also directed the Lokpal to file a response within four weeks.

The court stated that the matter requires deep consideration. It stayed the impugned order of January 6, 2025, the notice of January 7, 2025, and the order of March 4, 2025. It also stayed the ongoing proceedings under complaint number 162/2024.

The case was registered on March 28, 2023, after allegations of irregularities in promotions by NPC surfaced. The Lokpal issued a notice to Rajesh Kumar Singh in January 2025. Singh and others challenged the notice and proceedings in the Delhi High Court.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the promotions in question occurred before Singh assumed charge as Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade on April 21, 2023. The lawyer also contended that the Lokpal’s action was beyond its jurisdiction. He stated that the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, covers only allegations under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He argued that irregularities in promotions do not fall under this purview.

The court said the jurisdiction of the Lokpal is under challenge. It stayed the proceedings until July 24, 2025.

Rajesh Kumar Singh is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1989 Kerala cadre. He has held key government positions, including Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Secretary of Animal Husbandry and Dairy. On November 1, 2024, he replaced Giridhar Aramane as the 40th Defense Secretary.

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