The
Delhi High Court on Thursday extended the interim protection from arrest for
suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The extension remains in effect until the
next hearing date which is September 5, 2024.
Justice
Subramonium Prasad of the Delhi High Court has deferred the hearing on
suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea to September 5.
The
deferral was due to the Delhi Police sought time to go through the rejoinder
filed by the applicant Puja Khedkar and also to file a fresh status report.
Puja
Khedkar, facing allegations of cheating and improperly securing OBC and
disability quota benefits, through her rejoinder in the Delhi High Court
informed that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) lacks the authority to
disqualify her. Khedkar argued that the UPSC, which administers the civil
services examination, does not have the jurisdiction to disqualify candidates
in such matters.
Earlier,
the same bench of the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Police
and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding the anticipatory bail plea
of suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The court had also instructed the
investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter is under consideration,
noting that immediate arrest is not deemed necessary.
The
Delhi High Court earlier observed that the trial court's order denying bail for
Puja Khedkar lacks substantial discussion, with only a brief mention of the Public
Prosecutor's claim about the involvement of others. The High Court has
instructed the police not to arrest Khedkar until Friday, pending further
proceedings.