The Delhi High Court has prolonged the interim protection from arrest for former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until October 4, in light of the ongoing criminal case accusing her of cheating and misusing OBC and disability quotas in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh deferred the hearing following a request for more time by Khedkar’s legal representation to respond to the allegations.
During the proceedings, the counsel for the Delhi Police hinted at a “larger conspiracy,” involving document forgery and creation, requesting a brief adjournment. The case has captured public and media attention, particularly after Khedkar claimed her “debarment” was a repercussion of her sexual harassment complaint against a fellow officer, a point her lawyer emphasized while criticizing the intense media scrutiny surrounding the case. The defense also urged the court to prohibit press conferences related to the matter.
Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) have both opposed Khedkar’s plea for anticipatory bail, arguing that her actions have broader implications on the public trust and the integrity of the civil services examination. The UPSC contends that Khedkar’s alleged fraud could not have been perpetrated without accomplices, underscoring the need for her custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the purported fraud.
The High Court had initially granted Khedkar interim protection on August 12, following her anticipatory bail application, and has since extended it periodically. The case revolves around accusations that Khedkar manipulated her application to receive undue benefits under reserved categories, which the UPSC claims has undermined the fairness and integrity of the competitive examination process.
