Delhi High Court Extends Interim Protection for Former IAS Probationer in Fraud Case

The Delhi High Court has extended till October 4 the interim protection from arrest granted to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The court deferred the hearing after her lawyer requested more time.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until October 4. Khedkar is accused of cheating and falsely claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Justice Chandra Dhari Singh postponed the hearing on Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea following a request from her lawyer. The Delhi Police counsel requested a short adjournment, citing a larger conspiracy involving document forgery.

Khedkar's lawyer argued that her debarment followed a sexual harassment complaint against an officer. Both the UPSC and Delhi Police oppose her pre-arrest bail, claiming it would hinder the investigation into the alleged fraud that affects public trust in the civil services examination.

(With inputs from agencies.)