Delhi High Court Extends Protection for Suspended IAS Officer Puja Khedkar
The Delhi High Court has extended the interim protection from arrest for suspended trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar until August 29. Khedkar is accused of falsifying and misrepresenting facts in her application to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Accusations and Legal Proceedings
The court deferred the hearing on her anticipatory bail plea to August 29, 2024, as the Delhi Police’s reply was not yet filed. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Khedkar, requested more time to review the UPSC’s response, which opposes her bail plea.
Previously, the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Police and UPSC regarding Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea. The court observed that the trial court’s order denying her bail lacked substantial discussion.
UPSC’s Argument
The UPSC argued that Khedkar is a ‘mastermind’ and that her actions would not have been possible without assistance from others, necessitating custodial interrogation. The trial court had also found the allegations serious and in need of thorough investigation.
Charges and Investigation
Khedkar faces charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, the IT Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disability Act. The court noted that she allegedly misrepresented her identity to gain extra attempts in the civil services examination.
The court emphasized the need for the UPSC to maintain transparency and fairness in its procedures and suggested that the investigation should be widened to identify other candidates who may have similarly breached the system.
Next Steps
The Delhi High Court has granted Khedkar the liberty to approach the appropriate forum to challenge the cancellation of her candidature.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big building where judges work. They make important decisions about laws and people’s rights in Delhi.
IAS Officer -: IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service. IAS officers are important people who help run the country by working in different government jobs.
Puja Khedkar -: Puja Khedkar is a person who was training to become an IAS officer. She is in trouble because people say she lied on her application.
Interim Protection -: Interim protection means that Puja Khedkar cannot be arrested for now. The court has given her some time before they decide what to do next.
UPSC -: UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. It is a group that conducts exams to select people for important government jobs like IAS officers.
Anticipatory Bail -: Anticipatory bail is when someone asks the court to not arrest them before they are officially charged with a crime.
Custodial Interrogation -: Custodial interrogation means questioning someone while they are in police custody. The police want to ask Puja Khedkar questions while she is in their control.
Trial Court -: A trial court is where a judge listens to both sides of a case and decides if someone is guilty or not. This court had earlier said no to Puja Khedkar’s bail request.
