New Delhi [India], April 15 (HBTV): The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended its interim order granting protection from arrest to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging documents to secure eligibility for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma adjourned the matter to April 21, stating that the interim protection from arrest granted earlier shall remain in force until then. The hearing was deferred after Khedkar's counsel informed the bench that a counter affidavit had been filed on her behalf but was not appearing on the court's record.

Earlier, the apex court had directed the Delhi Police to expedite the investigation and questioned why the probe had not been completed, especially when Khedkar had submitted an affidavit expressing her willingness to cooperate.

The court had listed the matter for April 15 to hear Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to probe a broader scam involving the use of forged documents by UPSC candidates.

However, the bench had previously remarked that while the origin of the forged certificates must be uncovered, custodial detention of Khedkar was not necessarily required for that purpose.

Khedkar had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision to reject her anticipatory bail plea. In January, the apex court granted her interim protection from arrest and directed her to cooperate with the investigation.

She is accused of fraudulently claiming reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and as a Person with Benchmark Disabilities to qualify in the UPSC examination.

While rejecting her anticipatory bail plea, the Delhi High Court had made scathing observations, calling the case a ‘classic example of fraud, not only with a constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole.’ The court had stressed the need for custodial interrogation to unearth the full extent of the conspiracy.

The High Court had also noted that Khedkar’s parents held high-ranking positions, raising the possibility of collusion with influential individuals.

Khedkar is currently facing criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police, which include cheating and the illegal availing of quota benefits in the civil services examination.

(ANI)