THE Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed anticipatory bail plea of sacked Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly submitted false OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates and fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limits provided for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by faking her identity.

 

A bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh vacated its earlier order shielding her from arrest and in its judgement, opined that prima facie, a strong case was made out against Puja Khedkar. It added that custodial interrogation of a person accused of an offence of such nature is required to unearth the facts. Asking Khedkar to cooperate with the investigation, the Delhi HC, in an interim order passed on August 12, granted her protection from arrest. Justice Singh-led Bench, on November 28, reserved its decision on Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea after hearing both sides. It was then clarified that till the judgement is delivered, the interim relief granted earlier to Puja Khedkar shielding her from arrest will continue.