New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday (September 26) extended till October 4 the interim protection granted to former probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar from arrest in a case registered against her on a complaint by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for allegedly cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits.
Khedkar is accused of cheating, wrongly availing quota benefits
Khedkar is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits. A case was registered by the Delhi Police against Khedkar on a complaint by the UPSC, which cancelled her candidature on July 31 and debarred her from future exams. The UPSC has also alleged that Khedkar committed perjury by making a false statement in relation to her plea seeking anticipatory bail.
High Court earlier extended Khedkar’s interim protection from arrest till September 26
Earlier, the High Court had extended till September 26 Khedkar’s interim protection from arrest granted to her earlier.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh deferred hearing on Khedkar’s plea seeking anticipatory bail after her lawyer made a request to file a response to an allegation levelled by the UPSC that Khedkar committed perjury by making a false statement in relation to her anticipatory bail plea.
Khedkar’s counsel objected to media gaze on the case
Khedkar’s counsel submitted that her “debarment” by the UPSC was an aftermath of a sexual harassment complaint lodged by her against an officer. The counsel also objected to the media gaze on the case and said that there should not be any press conference by any party involved.
The counsel representing the Delhi Police submitted before the court that a larger conspiracy has come to light, which involves forgery and creation of documents and urged the court to allow a short adjournment. The counsel further said that the investigating agency is never under media pressure.
Khekdar became a celebrity because of her own doing: UPSC
The counsel representing the UPSC said that Khekdar “became a celebrity because of her own doing”.
After hearing the submissions, the High Court adjourned the matter to October 4.
“At request of counsel for the petitioner (Khedkar), list on October 4. Interim order to continue,” Justice Singh said, news agency PTI reported.
Khedkar moved the High Court against a trial court order refusing to grant her anticipatory bail. The Delhi Police and UPSC have opposed Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea.
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