Delhi HC grants Puja Khedkar interim protection from arrest till August 21

PTC News Desk: The Delhi High Court has asked the police not to arrest Puja Khedkar, the beleaguered trainee IAS official, until August 21.

The court also served a notice on the Delhi police and the UPSC, seeking a reply as to why her detention is required to uncover the conspiracy.

Justice Subramonium Prasad stated that he did not believe Khedkar's "immediate custody" was necessary "at the moment".

“As of now, it does not seem to be at the moment that her immediate custody is required. Here when I saw the orders, the trial court was boggled from the offence which was committed but not as to why bail should or should not be granted,” Justice Prasad said.

"In the facts of the present case, this court is of the opinion that the petitioner need not be arrested till the next date of hearing (August 21)," he added.

Puja Khedkar, who is accused of examination fraud, had filed a high court petition appealing the district court's decision to deny her anticipatory relief.

UPSC, which administers the coveted civil services exams, filed an FIR against Puja Khedkar, stating that she forged her identity to earn more attempts than allowed in the civil services examination.

Last month, UPSC cancelled her candidature. The Delhi High Court recently allowed her the right to file a challenge against the revocation of her candidature in the proper forum.