Pune: Delhi High Court Grants Puja Khedkar Temporary Protection Amid Fraud Allegations
New Delhi/Pune, 12th August 2024: The Delhi High Court has granted temporary protection from arrest to Puja Khedkar, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationer, until 21st August. Khedkar is facing allegations of fraud and illegally obtaining benefits under Other Backward Class (OBC) and disability reservations. Justice Subramonium Prasad has directed the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to respond to her anticipatory bail plea. The case will be reviewed further on 21st August.
“In light of the case details, the court believes that the petitioner should not be arrested until the next hearing date,” stated Justice Prasad. Khedkar is accused of submitting false information in her 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination application to avail reservation benefits.
On 31st July, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s candidacy and barred her from future examinations. Earlier, on 1st August, a sessions court denied her anticipatory bail request, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation. Khedkar argued that she faced an “immediate threat of arrest” and sought protection from the court.
