Delhi High Court: A petition was filed by Rajesh Kumar Singh (petitioner) and others challenging the impugned order dated 06-01-2025 and the subsequent notices dated 07-01-2025 issued by Lokpal of India (respondent) seeking to quash the orders and stay on the proceedings initiated under a complaint on grounds of alleged lack of jurisdiction of the Lokpal, as no corruption allegations were established under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. A division bench of Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani, JJ., granted an interim stay on the operation of the impugned order dated 06-01-2025, the notices dated 07-01-2025, the subsequent order dated 04-03-2025, and the proceedings pending before the Lokpal.
The complaint before the Lokpal pertained to purported irregularities in the promotions conducted by the National Productivity Council on 28-03-2023. However, the petitioners argued that the alleged irregularities occurred before petitioner 1 assumed the position of Secretary, DPIIT on 21-04-2023. They contended that the Lokpal had no jurisdiction to proceed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, in the absence of any corruption-related allegations.
Following the issuance of the impugned order and notices, the petitioners approached the Court contending the alleged absence of prima facie evidence of corruption. Additionally, the petitioners argued that the complaint failed to satisfy the legal requirements under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
Despite the petitioners’ objections, the Lokpal rejected the jurisdictional challenge on 04-03-2025, stating that the complaint had substantially complied with the stipulated rules. Aggrieved by this rejection, the petitioners filed applications seeking a stay on the proceedings and the operation of Lokpal’s orders.
Acknowledging the petitioners’ concerns regarding the jurisdiction of the Lokpal, the Court noted that the issue required in-depth consideration and highlighted the absence of clear corruption allegations in the complaint. The Court also referred to its previous order dated 31-01-2025, where it had observed that the petitioners could raise jurisdictional issues before the Lokpal.
Recognizing the necessity for detailed judicial scrutiny, the Court granted an interim stay on the operation of the impugned orders dated 06-01-2025, the notices dated 07-01-2025, and the order dated 04-03-2025. The Court also stayed the ongoing proceedings before the Lokpal under the complaint until the next date of hearing, scheduled for 24-07-2025.
[Rajesh Kumar Singh v. Lokpal, W.P.(C) 1264/2025, decided on 20-03-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Mr. Vikas Singh, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Varun Singh, Ms. Deepeika Kalia, Ms. Kajal Gupta, Ms. Somesa Gupta and Mr. Sudeep Chandra, Advocates for petitioner
