Protection from arrest, to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, know more

The Delhi High Court has granted protection from arrest to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar until August 21 in a case involving allegations of impersonation and fraud. Khedkar has filed for anticipatory bail, with the matter currently being heard by a bench led by Justice Subramanium Prasad. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra is representing Khedkar, while the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is represented by Naresh Kaushik.

During the hearing, the UPSC accused Khedkar of being the "mastermind" behind the alleged irregularities in her case, asserting that she couldn't have acted alone. The court is considering whether custodial interrogation is necessary, with Kaushik arguing that Khedkar's entry into the IAS system demonstrates her manipulative nature, justifying the need for custody to uncover the conspiracy.

Justice Prasad remarked that, at present, it does not appear that Khedkar's immediate custody is required. The court has issued notices to the Delhi Police and the UPSC, requesting a response on why her custody is necessary to further investigate the conspiracy. Consequently, the court has directed the police not to arrest Khedkar until the next hearing on August 21.