Delhi High Court Extends Interim Protection for Puja Khedkar

The Delhi High Court has extended interim protection from arrest for former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until September 5. Khedkar faces allegations of cheating and misuse of OBC and disability quota benefits. Both the UPSC and Delhi Police oppose her pre-arrest bail, while Khedkar denies all charges.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended interim protection from arrest for former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until September 5. Khedkar has been accused of cheating and misusing OBC and disability quota benefits in the Civil Services Examination, 2022.

Justice Subramonium Prasad deferred the hearing on Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea and allowed the police to submit a fresh status report in the meantime. Both the UPSC and the Delhi Police have called for the dismissal of her bail plea.

Khedkar has denied the allegations, insisting she has neither misrepresented nor cheated. She argues that the UPSC has no power to disqualify her and that her selection was based on merit as a Person with Benchmark Disability (PwBD). She claims all her documents and identity were verified by the commission.

The UPSC had canceled her candidature and debarred her from future exams, alleging she committed fraud. The Delhi Police have also registered an FIR under various legal provisions and stated that any relief for her could hinder the investigation into what they describe as a 'deep-rooted conspiracy.'

(With inputs from agencies.)