Delhi high court extends interim arrest protection for former IAS officer Puja Khedkar

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former IAS officer Puja Khedkar on Thursday, until October 4, which is the next scheduled hearing date.
The court adjourned the case after the involved counsels requested additional time for detailed submissions.
The counsel representing the Delhi Police informed the court that a larger conspiracy is becoming apparent as the investigation progresses.
Khedkar is accused of allegedly misrepresenting details in her 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination application to obtain reservation benefits. She has denied all allegations.
On Thursday, Khedkar's lawyer requested additional time to respond to the UPSC's claim that she committed perjury by providing false information in her anticipatory bail plea. Khedkar argued that her "debarment" was a consequence of a sexual harassment complaint she had filed against an officer and objected to the media attention on her case.
Her lawyer also demanded that neither party hold press conferences.
The Delhi Police's counsel stated that the agency operates independently of media influence, while UPSC's senior counsel argued that Khedkar had "made herself a public figure."
Both the UPSC and Delhi Police have requested the dismissal of her anticipatory bail plea.
The Delhi high court granted Khedkar interim protection from arrest on August 12, with the protection being extended periodically.
The Delhi Police, however, contends that granting her any relief would obstruct their investigation into what they describe as a "deep-rooted conspiracy" with significant implications for public trust and the integrity of the civil services exam.
The UPSC previously accused Khedkar of fraud against the Commission and the public, claiming her custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud, which may have involved others.
In July, the UPSC initiated legal actions against Khedkar, including filing a criminal case for allegedly falsifying her identity to gain extra exam attempts.
An FIR has been registered under various provisions of the IPC, IT Act and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.