The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in connection with a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cheating case.
The court also vacated the interim protection from arrest previously granted to Khedkar, emphasizing the significance of maintaining the integrity of the prestigious UPSC examination.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, while dismissing the plea, stated, “Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated.”
The court noted that the alleged actions constituted fraud not just against the UPSC but also against society at large. It highlighted that granting anticipatory bail at this stage could hinder the investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
The case involves allegations that Khedkar manipulated the system by providing false information in her application for the 2022 batch of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
She is accused of fraudulently obtaining an IAS officer seat by exploiting reservation benefits under the OBC and disability categories.
The Delhi Police has registered criminal charges against Khedkar, accusing her of cheating and securing her position unlawfully. According to the police, her actions are part of a larger conspiracy that still requires detailed investigation. They argued that custodial interrogation is essential to uncover additional aspects of the case.
Khedkar’s counsel, advocate Bina Madhvan, argued that her client was ready to cooperate with the investigation and claimed custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
However, senior advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, maintained that a thorough probe was needed to protect the sanctity of the civil services examination.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need to investigate the matter thoroughly to expose any larger conspiracies.
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