Court Relief to Puja Khedkar in Fake Identity Case: ‘Immediate Custody Not Needed’
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has granted former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar temporary relief in her ongoing legal battle. On Monday, Justice Subramonium Prasad ruled that Khedkar will not be taken into custody until the next court hearing on August 21. This decision comes as Khedkar faces serious allegations of impersonation and fraud related to her Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) application.
Justice Prasad issued this order while considering Khedkar’s plea for anticipatory bail. The judge scrutinized the necessity of her immediate arrest, emphasizing that the current situation does not warrant such action. “As of now, it doesn’t seem to me at the moment that her immediate custody is required,” Justice Prasad remarked during the hearing.
The court’s directive includes instructions for Khedkar to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the UPSC has been made a party to the case, and both the commission and the Delhi Police have been ordered to respond to Khedkar’s interim bail application.
Puja Khedkar, who is from the 2023 batch of IAS officers, stands accused of manipulating her identity to gain multiple attempts at the UPSC exams, far exceeding the allowed limits. Her alleged deceit involved altering critical personal details such as her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.
The allegations against Khedkar prompted the UPSC to file a police case and subsequently cancel her candidature on July 31. The commission has also barred her from future exams.
On August 1, a Delhi court had declined to grant anticipatory bail to Khedkar, citing the necessity for custodial interrogation to reveal the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and any potential involvement of other individuals.
The sessions court underscored that Khedkar’s actions not only deceived the UPSC but also deprived deserving candidates of their opportunities. The Delhi Police have commenced an investigation, gathering evidence and documents, and are expected to issue a notice to Khedkar for further questioning.
Khedkar’s legal representation, led by advocate Bina Madhavan, has argued for her right to respond to the allegations. The defense contends that any withholding of information about her exam attempts is a matter for further inquiry rather than immediate arrest.
As the case progresses, the focus remains on the investigation and the court’s forthcoming decisions. The legal community and public eagerly await the next steps in this high-profile case.
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