30/10/2025
*Allegations of Defamation and Misconduct Against Naval Officer Stir Institutional Integrity Debate*
By R Gopal Sharma and Sandeep Singh
A series of legal battles and formal complaints, involving *Air Veteran and RTI Activist Jayant Kumar Singh* , have brought to light serious allegations of defamation and institutional misconduct against an official in a leadership position, specifically citing *Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna (70478-A)* of the Indian Navy. The documents suggest a climate where individuals in authority, including a Naval Officer, allegedly engage in "mean-mindedness" and "malicious allegations," potentially undermining institutional integrity.
*Defamation Allegations and Legal Disputes*
The core of the matter centers on a written communication (dated March 12, 2024) from Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna, Principal of Sainik School Nalanda, to the District Magistrate, Nalanda, who is also a member of the school's Local Board of Administration (LBA). The letter references an email from Mr Jayant Kumar Singh and discusses "unfounded allegations of exploitation and misuse of resources." The enclosed documents, particularly a complaint filed by Mr Singh, accuse Captain Krishna of defamation and malicious allegations, specifically related to a purported "scam in Entrance Exam." Mr. Singh's complaint to various senior authorities, including the Defence Secretary, explicitly targets Captain Krishna, alleging the official is a "wrongdoer" and accusing respective offices of "institutional dereliction of duty and protecting a wrongdoer."
*Legal Vindication for Mr. Singh*
The documents also confirm Mr Singh's successful legal fight against his wrongful termination from the post of Office Superintendent at Sainik School Ambikapur. The *High Court of Chhattisgarh, in its order dated September 11, 2024 (WPS No. 2070 of 2014), quashed the termination order (dated March 26, 2014) and directed the authorities to reinstate Mr Singh, noting that the allegations against him were made the foundation for the termination without a proper show cause notice or opportunity for hearing.
Furthermore, the Division Bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court dismissed the appeal (WA No. 774 of 2024) filed by The Principal, Sainik School Ambikapur, on November 22, 2024, upholding the Single Judge's decision to reinstate Mr Singh and concluding that the Single Judge had not committed any "illegality, irregularity or jurisdictional error."
*CIC Highlights Need for Transparency and Digital Records*
In a separate matter concerning RTI compliance, Central Information Commission (CIC) order dated February 3, 2025, addressed multiple second appeals filed by Mr Jayant Kumar Singh against the Department of Defence regarding the Sainik School Society. The CIC order, while dealing with the denial of information and records, recommended that the Public Authority (PA) adopt a common format for website disclosure under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act to proactively publish information. Crucially, the CIC also recommended to the Public Authority to "maintain records in digital form for proper management and ease of access in compliance with clause (a) of [Section 4(1)]."
*Transparency Audit Reveals Mixed Performance*
Adding to the scrutiny of public authorities, a Transparency Audit Report from November 2018 submitted to the Central Information Commission, noted mixed compliance with mandatory disclosures under the RTI Act. While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a whole was not specifically rated in the readily available annexure snippets, other public authorities showed a wide range of transparency levels, with the Indian Air Force scoring 70% (Grade C) and the Indian Army scoring 69% (Grade D), highlighting a general area for improvement in mandatory disclosures across defence-affiliated institutions, potentially enabling the kind of information vacuum that breeds conflict and speculation.
*Conclusion*
The confluence of legal rulings, formal complaints and calls for greater transparency paints a critical picture of the challenges to institutional integrity within certain defence-affiliated bodies. The allegations of defamation and "mean-minded" conduct directed at Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna stand in sharp contrast to the legal vindication achieved by Mr Jayant Kumar Singh, *Allegations of Defamation and Misconduct Against Naval Officer Stir Institutional Integrity Debate*
By R Gopal Sharma and Sandeep Singh
Nalanda, October 31, 2025 โ
A series of legal battles and formal complaints, involving *Air Veteran and RTI Activist Jayant Kumar Singh* , have brought to light serious allegations of defamation and institutional misconduct against an official in a leadership position, specifically citing *Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna (70478-A)* of the Indian Navy. The documents suggest a climate where individuals in authority, including a Naval Officer, allegedly engage in "mean-mindedness" and "malicious allegations," potentially undermining institutional integrity.
*Defamation Allegations and Legal Disputes*
The core of the matter centers on a written communication (dated March 12, 2024) from Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna, Principal of Sainik School Nalanda, to the District Magistrate, Nalanda, who is also a member of the school's Local Board of Administration (LBA). The letter references an email from Mr Jayant Kumar Singh and discusses "unfounded allegations of exploitation and misuse of resources." The enclosed documents, particularly a complaint filed by Mr Singh, accuse Captain Krishna of defamation and malicious allegations, specifically related to a purported "scam in Entrance Exam."
Mr. Singh's complaint to various senior authorities, including the Defence Secretary, explicitly targets Captain Krishna, alleging the official is a "wrongdoer" and accusing respective offices of "institutional dereliction of duty and protecting a wrongdoer."
*Legal Vindication for Mr. Singh*
The documents also confirm Mr Singh's successful legal fight against his wrongful termination from the post of Office Superintendent at Sainik School Ambikapur. The *High Court of Chhattisgarh, in its order dated September 11, 2024 (WPS No. 2070 of 2014), quashed the termination order (dated March 26, 2014) and directed the authorities to reinstate Mr Singh, noting that the allegations against him were made the foundation for the termination without a proper show cause notice or opportunity for hearing.
Furthermore, the Division Bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court dismissed the appeal (WA No. 774 of 2024) filed by The Principal, Sainik School Ambikapur, on November 22, 2024, upholding the Single Judge's decision to reinstate Mr Singh and concluding that the Single Judge had not committed any "illegality, irregularity or jurisdictional error."
*CIC Highlights Need for Transparency and Digital Records*
In a separate matter concerning RTI compliance, Central Information Commission (CIC) order dated February 3, 2025, addressed multiple second appeals filed by Mr Jayant Kumar Singh against the Department of Defence regarding the Sainik School Society.
The CIC order, while dealing with the denial of information and records, recommended that the Public Authority (PA) adopt a common format for website disclosure under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act to proactively publish information. Crucially, the CIC also recommended to the Public Authority to "maintain records in digital form for proper management and ease of access in compliance with clause (a) of [Section 4(1)]."
*Transparency Audit Reveals Mixed Performance*
Adding to the scrutiny of public authorities, a Transparency Audit Report from November 2018 submitted to the Central Information Commission, noted mixed compliance with mandatory disclosures under the RTI Act.
While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a whole was not specifically rated in the readily available annexure snippets, other public authorities showed a wide range of transparency levels, with the Indian Air Force scoring 70% (Grade C) and the Indian Army scoring 69% (Grade D), highlighting a general area for improvement in mandatory disclosures across defence-affiliated institutions, potentially enabling the kind of information vacuum that breeds conflict and speculation.
*Conclusion*
The confluence of legal rulings, formal complaints and calls for greater transparency paints a critical picture of the challenges to institutional integrity within certain defence-affiliated bodies. The allegations of defamation and "mean-minded" conduct directed at *Captain Naveen Chandra Krishna stand in sharp contrast to the legal vindication achieved by Mr Jayant Kumar Singh* , raising profound questions about the standard of leadership and professional conduct expected from officers in these critical roles. The case is expected to fuel a broader debate on accountability and ethical practices in public service.raising profound questions about the standard of leadership and professional conduct expected from officers in these critical roles. The case is expected to fuel a broader debate on accountability and ethical practices in public service.
