The Delhi High Court has extended interim protection from arrest for suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar until the next hearing on September 5, 2024.
Justice Subramonium Prasad deferred the hearing on Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea after the Delhi Police requested more time to review her rejoinder and file a fresh status report.
Puja Khedkar is facing allegations of cheating and improperly securing benefits under the OBC and disability quotas. In her rejoinder, she argued that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) does not have the authority to disqualify her, stating that the commission, responsible for administering the civil services examination, lacks jurisdiction in such matters.
Previously, the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Police and UPSC regarding Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea. The court had also instructed the investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter is under consideration, noting that immediate arrest was not necessary.
The High Court earlier criticized the trial court’s decision to deny Khedkar bail, stating that the order lacked substantial discussion and only briefly mentioned the involvement of others as claimed by the Public Prosecutor. The trial court had denied bail, citing the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
The UPSC argued that Khedkar is the “mastermind” behind the scheme, suggesting that her actions could not have been carried out without assistance, thus supporting the need for a thorough investigation.
Khedkar’s bail plea in the High Court follows the rejection of her previous plea by Delhi’s Patiala House Court, which found the allegations against her serious and in need of thorough investigation. The charges include cheating, forgery, and conspiracy under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the IT Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
The court also highlighted the need for the UPSC to strengthen its procedures to prevent similar breaches in the future, acknowledging that the case may be just “the tip of the iceberg.” The court directed the investigating agency to expand its probe to identify other candidates who might have illegally availed of extra attempts, OBC benefits, or disability benefits without entitlement, and to determine if any insiders assisted Khedkar in her actions.
Recently, the Delhi High Court granted Puja Khedkar the liberty to challenge the cancellation of her candidature in an appropriate forum.
