Big Relief for Puja Khedkar! Delhi HC Directs Police To Not Arrest Former IAS Officer Till Aug 21

New Delhi: In a major respite to Puja Khedkar, the Delhi High Court has ordered the Delhi Police to not arrest her till August 21.

This comes amid the plea filed by the former IAS officer, seeking anticipatory bail.

Delhi HC Grants Protection from Arrest to Puja Khedkar

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest till August 21 to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who has been accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits.

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice to the Delhi Police as well as the UPSC on the anticipatory bail plea by Khedkar, and asked them to file their responses.

"In the facts of the present case, the court is of the opinion that the petitioner be not arrested till the next date of hearing," Justice Prasad said.

The court listed the case for further hearing on August 21.

Here's What Delhi High Court Said

Delhi High Court asked why do you need her custody, if a third person has helped her in this then the conspiracy behind it has to be found out but if she has done this herself then why is it necessary to arrest her

Delhi HC asked if she is not in the system then she cannot do any tampering from within the system.

UPSC said that she is not a part of the system yet but even without being in the system she can influence in many ways.

UPSC said that she is the mastermind.

Anticipatory Bail Plea Filed by Former IAS Officer

Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who has been accused of cheating and wrongly securing OBC and disability quota benefits, on Thursday approached the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the criminal case against her.

Her plea for pre-arrest bail is scheduled for hearing before Justice Subramonium Prasad on Friday.

Khedkar allegedly misrepresented information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 to get reservation benefits.

On July 31, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancelled Khedkar's candidature and debarred her from future exams.

On August 1, a sessions court here had denied anticipatory bail to her and said there are serious allegations against her which "require a thorough investigation".

Khedkar, who has not been arrested in the case, had approached the sessions court, saying she faces "immediate threat of arrest".

(Inputs from PTI)