New Delhi: Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sanjay Pratap Singh, a retired 1984-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, has come under scrutiny following the death of a 48-year-old passenger during an alleged altercation over a seat reserved for senior citizens on a Delhi Metro train.
The incident occurred on October 8, 2026, near the Supreme Court Metro station. According to police and the First Information Report (FIR), the deceased, identified as Pawan Sharma, allegedly got into an argument with the former bureaucrat and his son, Sidharth Singh, over a reserved seat.
The disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation during which Sharma was allegedly slapped and pushed. He fell and sustained serious head injuries.
Metro personnel subsequently transported him by ambulance to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Delhi Police arrested Sanjay Pratap Singh and his son in connection with the incident. According to the supplied reports, both were subsequently remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
The case has attracted attention not only because of the death of a Metro passenger but also because of the former IAS officer’s administrative background and earlier legal controversies.
What Happened Inside Delhi Metro on October 8?
According to the police account, Mr Singh, aged 65, and his 36-year-old son Sidharth Singh, a Supreme Court advocate, boarded a Delhi Metro train at Mandi House station on October 8.
During the journey, an argument allegedly broke out involving Pawan Sharma, a 48-year-old passenger.
The disagreement reportedly concerned a seat reserved for senior citizens.
Read Also: Delhi Metro Seat Dispute Turns Fatal; Retired IAS Officer, Supreme Court Lawyer Son Arrested
As the train approached the Supreme Court Metro station, the confrontation allegedly turned physical.
Police alleged that Sharma was slapped and pushed during the altercation, causing him to fall inside the train and sustain serious head injuries.
Following the incident, Metro staff arranged an ambulance to transport Sharma to LNJP Hospital.
He was declared dead at the hospital.
The precise sequence of events, individual responsibility and circumstances surrounding the injuries remain matters for investigation and judicial determination.
Former IAS Officer and Son Arrested, Sent to Judicial Custody
Following a complaint filed by the deceased passenger’s mother, Delhi Police registered an FIR at the Supreme Court Metro Police Station.
Mr Singh and his son Sidharth Singh were arrested in connection with the case.
According to the supplied reports, both were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and Section 3(5), concerning acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.
The registration of an FIR and arrest of the accused do not establish guilt. The allegations will be subject to investigation and adjudication by the competent court.
Who Is Sanjay Pratap Singh? Know His IAS Batch, Cadre & Background
Mr Singh is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1984 batch. He is currently resides in Sector 44, Noida.
He belonged to the AGMUT cadre, which covers Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories.
Born on July 30, 1961, Singh served in the IAS for more than three decades and held several administrative positions in Delhi and other Union Territories.
During his bureaucratic career, he worked in departments associated with welfare administration and other government functions.
His career also witnessed controversies involving departmental proceedings and corruption allegations.
Early Life, Education and Family Background
Mr Singh was born on July 30, 1961. He pursued higher education at the University of Delhi, where he obtained a graduate degree in History and a postgraduate degree in Sociology.
He also completed a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.
According to the biographical information provided, he is the son of the late Justice N. P. Singh.
After qualifying through the Civil Services Examination, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1984 and was allotted the AGMUT cadre.
Administrative Career: From Senior Government Posts to Principal Secretary
During his IAS career, Mr Singh served in several administrative capacities, including Managing Director, Project Director, Joint Secretary, Special Secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to ministers.
He held important assignments in the Delhi government and other administrations under the AGMUT cadre.
In 2015, during the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, Singh was serving as Principal Secretary in the Department for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities.
His career records also identify a posting as Principal Secretary at the State Commission for Backward Classes.
The supplied service profile lists July 31, 2021, as his retirement date.
2006 Departmental Inquiry Over Alleged Unauthorised Vehicle Purchase
Mr Singh’s administrative career faced departmental scrutiny well before the 2015 corruption case.
In 2006, the Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly initiated departmental proceedings concerning the alleged unauthorised purchase of an official Tata Sumo vehicle.
The allegation was that the vehicle had been purchased without obtaining the necessary approval from higher authorities.
The matter became part of the broader scrutiny surrounding his administrative conduct.
The supplied material does not establish the final outcome of these departmental proceedings.
Centre Considered Compulsory Retirement in 2012
In 2012, the Union Home Ministry reportedly moved a proposal to compulsorily retire Singh.
The proposal was considered under Rule 16(3) of the All India Services rules, amid concerns raised about his integrity and efficiency.
However, the proposed action was not finalised at that stage, according to the supplied account.
Singh subsequently continued in government service.
CBI Arrested Sanjay Pratap Singh in 2015 Bribery Case
One of the most significant controversies in Singh’s bureaucratic career emerged in December 2015.
On December 8, 2015, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Singh and his personal assistant in connection with an alleged bribery case.
According to reports at the time, the CBI alleged that a bribe of ₹2.2 lakh had been demanded from the owner of a manpower security agency.
The alleged payment was connected to the clearance of outstanding departmental bills and the continued operation of the agency’s services.
Investigators alleged that Singh and his personal assistant were caught while accepting the payment.
Following the arrest, the Delhi government suspended Singh and surrendered his services to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the cadre-controlling authority.
These details concern allegations and investigative action reported in 2015. The supplied information does not establish a final conviction or acquittal in that case.
Disproportionate Assets Allegations and Investigations
The 2015 bribery investigation was followed by further scrutiny of Singh’s assets.
According to reports cited in the supplied material, investigators examined documents connected with eight properties in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon.
The investigation also reportedly identified fixed deposits worth crores of rupees and other valuable items, including expensive watches.
Reports additionally mentioned the recovery of approximately 300 bottles of imported liquor during searches.
A separate disproportionate assets investigation concerned allegations of wealth estimated at approximately ₹6.4 crore that investigators suspected was not adequately explained by known sources of income.
The supplied account also refers to Enforcement Directorate scrutiny.
These were allegations arising from investigative proceedings and should not be treated as findings of guilt. The final judicial status of those proceedings is not established by the material provided.
Son Sidharth Singh Is a Supreme Court Advocate
Ex-IAS Singh’s son, Sidharth Singh, has also been named as an accused in the Delhi Metro case.
According to the supplied reports, Sidharth is 36 years old and practises as an advocate in the Supreme Court.
Police allege that he was present with his father during the confrontation involving Pawan Sharma.
Both father and son were arrested following the incident.
Their respective roles and criminal liability will be determined through the legal process.
Delhi Metro Death Case: What Happens Next?
The investigation into Pawan Sharma’s death is expected to focus on the circumstances of the confrontation, the nature of the alleged physical assault and the injuries that resulted in his death.
Police will also have to establish the individual roles of the accused and whether the evidence supports the offences mentioned in the FIR.
The case has brought renewed public attention to Sanjay Pratap Singh’s bureaucratic career, including his senior administrative appointments and the controversies that arose during his service.
However, the earlier corruption allegations and the present Metro incident are separate matters. Neither the previous allegations nor the present arrests should be treated as proof of guilt without judicial findings.
