Supreme Court Extends Interim Protection From Arrest To Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday extended its interim protection from arrest for former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging documents to qualify for the 2022 UPSC examination.

A bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna granted Delhi Police additional time to file its response to Khedkar’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s rejection of her anticipatory bail. This decision came after a request from Additional Solicitor General SV Raju. The court also directed Khedkar to fully cooperate with the investigation.

“List after three weeks. Let interim protection be continued till then provided she is cooperating for investigation,” ordered the Supreme Court, scheduling the next hearing for March 18.

During the hearing, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Khedkar, informed the bench that she had not yet been summoned for questioning by the police and expressed her willingness to cooperate.

Earlier, the top court had instructed that no coercive steps be taken against Khedkar until the next hearing date.

Khedkar is accused of fraudulently claiming reservations meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities to clear the UPSC examination. The Delhi High Court, while rejecting her anticipatory bail plea, made strong observations, calling it a “classic example of fraud, not only with a constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole.”

The High Court underscored the need for thorough interrogation to expose the full extent of the conspiracy. It also pointed out that Khedkar’s parents held high-ranking positions, hinting at possible collusion with influential individuals.

Khedkar faces criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police for cheating and unlawfully securing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.