Puja Khedkar Granted Protection From Arrest Till August 21 By Delhi HC

What might come as a sigh of relief for troubled trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, the Delhi High Court has directed the police not to arrest her until August 21.

The court issued notices to the Delhi Police and the UPSC, asking them to explain why her custody is necessary for uncovering the alleged conspiracy.

Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that it did not seem, "at the moment," that Khedkar's "immediate custody" was required.

He remarked, "As of now, it does not seem to be at the moment that her immediate custody is required. Here when I saw the orders, the trial court was boggled from the offence which was committed but not as to why bail should or should not be granted."

The court's decision comes after Khedkar challenged the district court's denial of her anticipatory bail.

The UPSC had filed an FIR against her, alleging she falsified her identity to gain more attempts than allowed in the civil services examination.

The Patiala House Court previously found the allegations serious enough to warrant a thorough investigation, stating that "custodial interrogation of the accused was required to unearth the whole conspiracy and to establish the involvement of other persons involved in the conspiracy."

Last month, the UPSC canceled Khedkar's candidature.

The Delhi High Court recently granted her the liberty to challenge this cancellation in an appropriate forum.