Today, On 15th April, The Supreme Court has extended interim protection from arrest to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in her selection. The court also sought a response from the Maharashtra government on her plea.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court extended its interim order granting protection from arrest to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging documents to qualify for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.
A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma scheduled the matter for hearing on April 21, during which the interim protection from arrest will remain in effect.
The bench adjourned the case after Khedkar’s counsel informed them that a counter affidavit had been filed on her behalf but was not reflected in the court’s records.
Previously, the Supreme Court urged the Delhi police to expedite their investigation, questioning why it was not progressing faster, especially since Khedkar had stated in an affidavit her willingness to cooperate.
The bench set April 15 for a hearing on an anticipatory bail plea filed by Khedkar. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Delhi police, had informed the court that custodial interrogation was necessary to probe the larger scam involving fake documents submitted by UPSC candidates.
The bench remarked that while it is essential to uncover the source from which Khedkar allegedly obtained the forged certificates, her custody was not strictly required.
Khedkar has appealed to the Supreme Court following the Delhi High Court’s rejection of her anticipatory bail request. In January, the apex court granted her interim protection from arrest and instructed her to cooperate with the investigation.
She is accused of fraudulently claiming reservations meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities to pass the UPSC exam.
The Delhi High Court, while dismissing her anticipatory bail plea, made strong remarks against Khedkar, stating it was a “classic example of fraud, not only with a constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole.”
The court emphasized that interrogation was necessary to reveal the conspiracy involved, also noting that Khedkar’s parents held high-ranking positions, which raised concerns about potential collusion with influential individuals.
Khedkar is facing criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming benefits from the OBC and disability quotas in the civil services examination.
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