SC Relief To Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday extended the operation of an earlier interim order direct-ing that no coercive action be taken against 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 per-missible limits provided for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by faking her identity.

A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and S C Sharma decided to extend the ad interim protection after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing on behalf of the Delhi Police, sought additional time to file a counter affidavit in the matter. The Justice Nagarathna-led Bench directed Puja Khedkar to continue her cooperation in the ongoing investigation as it posted the matter for next hearing on March 18.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing on Puja Khedkar’s behalf, submitted that she is “willing and available” to attend the probe launched by the Delhi Police.

Earlier on January 15, the apex court asked the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to file its reply to Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea and passed an ad interim protection from arrest in her favour.