Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh. | Photo credit: ANI
The Delhi High Court on Friday (Nov 28, 2025) quashed the proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh in a case related to alleged irregularities in promotions at the National Productivity Council (NPC).
Divisional Judge Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidynathan Shankar passed the orders on a plea filed by Mr. Singh and others who were accused in the case.
The complainant alleged irregularities in the promotions conducted by the NPC on March 28, 2023, on which the Lokpal issued inquiry orders. In his plea, Mr. Singh alleged that the promotions in question were made before he took over as Secretary, Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on April 21, 2023.
Mr. Singh further said that the Lokpal’s actions were outside its jurisdiction as the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 mandates that complaints must include allegations of corruption or offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Mr. Singh, a 1989 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, later took over as India’s 40th Defense Minister on 1 November 2024.
Published – 28 Nov 2025 21:09 IST
