Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Delhi High Court on Friday (November 28, 2025) quashed the proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in a case related to alleged irregularities in promotions at the National Productivity Council (NPC).
Division Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidynathan Shankar passed the orders on a plea filed by Mr. Singh and others who were accused in this case.
The complainant alleged irregularities in promotions conducted by the NPC on March 28, 2023 on which Lokpal has issued inquiry orders. Mr. Singh, in his plea, had contended that the promotions in question were done before he assumed the office of Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on April 21, 2023.
Mr. Singh further stated that Lokpal’s actions were beyond its jurisdiction since the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, mandates that complaints must involve allegations of corruption or offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Mr. Singh, an IAS officer of the 1989 Kerala cadre, later took charge as India’s 40th Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024.
Published – November 28, 2025 09:09 pm IST
