Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 15, ordered a stay on the arrest of former Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar until the next hearing in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam cheating case. The court said no coercive steps were to be taken against Khedkar.
The apex court also issued notice to the Delhi government on the plea of Kedkar challenging the Delhi High Court order rejecting her anticipatory bail plea. The top court posted the matter for hearing on February 14 and ordered that till then, no coercive action shall be taken against her.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra said, "Khedkar faces 3 allegations, was denied bail without interrogation. Delhi High Court's comments prejudge the case."
A case was heard by a bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma posted the matter for further hearing on February 14 and ordered that no coercive action be taken against her.
Also Read | Government to Sell Stake in Five PSU Banks; Key Details Inside.
Khedkar is accused of manipulating documents in her application for the UPS civil services exam to avail of reservation benefits. She had refuted all the allegations against her. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Khedkar's plea for anticipatory bail stating the existence of a strong prima facie case and said an investigation was necessary to unearth the "larger conspiracy" to manipulate the recruitment system.