The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, August 21, extended the interim protection from arrest for suspended trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. Justice Subramaniam Prasad of the Delhi HC ruled to extend her interim protection until August 29. This extension comes as the court continues to deliberate on her anticipatory bail plea.
Khedkar is facing allegations of providing false information on her Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) application. The UPSC opposed her anticipatory bail plea, and the Delhi Police is yet to submit its response. The court’s decision follows arguments from Khedkar’s legal team, led by senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, who requested additional time to review the response from UPSC and the Delhi Police. Justice Prasad noted that there was no immediate need for Khedkar’s arrest, which led to the decision to defer the hearing.
Previously, an FIR was lodged by the UPSC accusing Khedkar of fraud and forgery. Khedkar initially sought anticipatory bail from the Patiala House Court, which was denied on August 1. She then appealed to the Delhi HC, which granted a temporary stay on her arrest until August 21.
The high court had earlier observed that the trial court’s order denying bail for Khedkar lacks substantial discussion, with only a brief mention of the Public Prosecutor’s claim about the involvement of others.
During the latest hearing, the court also requested further investigation into whether any UPSC officials might have assisted Khedkar. The High Court has instructed the police not to arrest Khedkar until Friday, pending further proceedings. The case will be reviewed again on August 29 to determine the next steps.
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