Clearing the way for Lokpal's action against former DPIIT secretary, allegation of misuse of position

The way has been cleared for the Lokpal investigation against Ramesh Abhishek, former secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and former chairman of Forward Market Trading. The ED has handed over the final report of the investigation of illegal earnings in connivance with the companies by misusing the post against him to Lokpal.

The Lokpal bench, in its order on January 3 this year, had ordered an open inquiry by the ED in view of the seriousness of the initial evidence found against Ramesh Abhishek.

No officer is ready to speak openly due to the condition of confidentiality of the investigation against a senior officer under the Lokpal Act, but according to highly placed sources, there is a case against Ramesh Abhishek, former secretary of DPIIT, after his retirement between 2020 and 2022. A complaint was made to Lokpal about receiving Rs from companies.

The Lokpal had ordered the ED to conduct a confidential inquiry into these complaints. Recently, in the report submitted to Lokpal, the ED confirmed that Ramesh Abhishek had received Rs 2.39 crore from several companies. These include details of several irregularities, including taking Rs 68 lakh from Ian Consultancy LLP, Lulu International, Amway India, and One 97 Communication.

In fact, Ramesh Abhishek, IAS of Bihar cadre of 1982 batch, was the chairman of the Forward Markets Commission from 21 September 2012 to 28 October 2015 and the secretary of DPIIT from 22 February 2016 to 31 July 2019. Lokpal is probing complaints of taking decisions that benefit companies while holding these positions and taking benefits from the same companies after retirement.