The Delhi High Court granted relief to controversial ex-IAS trainee officer, Ms. Puja Khedkar, by approving the extension of interim protection by eight days till August 29th and instructed the investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter is under consideration, noting that immediate arrest is not deemed necessary. This decision by the Delhi HC was taken despite an objection from the Union Public Service Commission.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, who is representing Ms. Khedkar, requested additional time from the court to review the UPSC’s response, which opposes the anticipatory bail plea. The UPSC argues that Puja Khedkar is a “mastermind” and that her actions would not have been possible without the assistance of others, hence, to get to the crux of the issue, Ms. Khedkar’s custodial interrogation was deemed necessary.
It is pertinent to note that the Delhi High Court had granted liberty to former probationary IAS Puja Khedkar to approach the appropriate forum to challenge the cancellation of her candidature. The apex recruiting agency for government jobs in India firmly believes that the Delhi HC’s leniency in providing Ms. Khedkar with an anticipatory bail might hamper the investigation.
UPSC asserts that the fiasco could not have unfurled if she had not been assisted by other accomplices, such individuals can only be tracked if Ms. Khedkar was taken under custody. The Commission further cautioned the HC, saying that such a decision would embolden those with criminal intent to bypass the legal framework that affects the integrity of recruitment practices for the civil services. The UPSC stressed the need for strict judicial scrutiny of Ms. Khedkar’s fraudulent actions to ensure that the recruitment processes of the prestigious civil services are protected from manipulation.
