In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily stayed the arrest of former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar until February 14 in a case involving allegations of fraudulently availing reservation benefits under the OBC and disability quotas during the Civil Services Examination.
A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notices to the Delhi government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in response to Khedkar’s plea for anticipatory bail.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Khedkar, highlighted the High Court’s adverse findings, stating they could lead to a conviction if the case proceeds to trial.
The UPSC had earlier revoked Khedkar’s selection as an IAS officer and barred her from future civil services examinations following an investigation that substantiated claims of misrepresentation in her 2022 application. The accusations include falsifying information to claim unlawful reservation benefits.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR against Khedkar for various offences, and the Centre has formed a one-member committee to investigate her conduct and selection process. Khedkar, however, has denied all allegations.
