In a significant reprieve for former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, the Delhi High Court has granted her protection from arrest until August 21, 2024. Justice Subramonium Prasad, who presided over the case, stated that Khedkar’s immediate custody did not appear necessary at this stage. The court also issued notices to the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), seeking explanations on why her custody was required for further investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
Puja Khedkar, accused of exam fraud, approached the high court after the district court denied her anticipatory bail. The allegations against her involve falsifying her identity to gain additional attempts in the civil services examination, leading the UPSC to file an FIR. The Patiala House Court had earlier emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the extent of the conspiracy and potential involvement of others.
The high court’s decision comes after UPSC canceled Khedkar’s candidature last month, a move she was granted liberty by the court to challenge. As the investigation unfolds, Khedkar remains protected from arrest until the next court hearing on August 21, while the court awaits responses from the concerned authorities regarding the necessity of her custody.
