Delhi High Court

Delhi HC Grants Interim Protection to Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

FacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterEmailEmailWhatsAppWhatsAppLinkedInLinkedInShareShare

The Delhi High Court on Monday (August 12) granted interim protection from arrest to former trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of fraudulently clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad provided Khedkar with interim relief until August 21, while issuing a notice to the Delhi Police and UPSC in response to her anticipatory bail petition.

The court observed that the trial court, in denying Khedkar’s request for bail, appeared to be overly influenced by the allegations against her and failed to properly assess the merits of her bail plea. Justice Prasad noted that in high-profile cases, courts can become entangled in the complexities of the allegations, sometimes losing sight of the actual relief being sought.

“In such significant matters, we often get so embroiled in the arguments that the purpose of the bail application is overshadowed,” Justice Prasad remarked.

Both the UPSC and Delhi Police argued that the case involves a well-planned conspiracy, with the investigation still ongoing. Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, described the case as a “classical” example of mental faculties being misused, highlighting the multiple coincidences that suggest a meticulously planned crime.

The Bench has asked the police and UPSC to provide detailed explanations in their reply regarding the alleged conspiracy and the necessity for Khedkar’s custody.

Earlier, on August 1, a Delhi court had denied bail to Khedkar and directed the Delhi Police to investigate whether other individuals had improperly benefited from reservations under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories.

Puja Khedkar is accused of fraudulently obtaining reservations under the OBC and PwD categories to clear the UPSC exam. Earlier this month, the UPSC canceled Khedkar’s selection and permanently barred her from all future exams and selections after finding her guilty of violating the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 Rules.

The Delhi Police registered the case against Khedkar following a complaint by the UPSC. The UPSC’s investigation revealed that Khedkar had also allegedly exceeded the permissible number of attempts by falsifying her identity, including changing her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International

Nunnem Gangte

Recent Posts

Haryana Court Sentences Dwarf Comedian Darshan To 20 Years In Jail For Raping Minor

A Haryana court has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing comedian Darshan to 20 years of…

3 hours ago

Delegation Of 6 Supreme Court Judges To Visit Manipur Relief Camps On March 22

A 6-member delegation of Supreme Court judges, led by Justice BR Gavai, will visit relief…

3 hours ago

Chhattisgarh Journalist Murder: Charge Sheet Filed Against Contractor & 3 Others

Bijapur police in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday submitted a chargesheet exceeding 1,200 pages against four individuals…

4 hours ago

Hate Tweets: Delhi HC Refuses To Stay Case Against Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to halt trial court proceedings against Delhi Law…

5 hours ago

Kerala HC Questions State’s Role In Regulating Violence In Films

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday debated how much the State can regulate violent content…

6 hours ago

ECI To SC Over Booth-Wise Voter Data: New CEC Open To Address Concerns

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Trinamool Congress (TMC)…

6 hours ago