As investigation progresses, larger conspiracy in matter is emerging: Delhi Police to HC opposing Puja Khedkar plea

New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): The Delhi Police on Thursday, opposing the anticipatory bail plea of former trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, informed the Delhi High Court that as the investigation progresses, a larger conspiracy is emerging in the matter.

This argument was presented during the hearing, where the police emphasised the evolving complexity of the case as a reason for opposing her plea for anticipatory bail.

The bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh has extended the interim protection from arrest granted to suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar until October 4, 2024, which is the next scheduled hearing date.

The bench was hearing the matter for the first time, following a recent change in the Delhi High Court roster. The court adjourned the matter after the related counsels sought time to make detailed submissions.

Meanwhile, the Court extended the interim protection from arrest granted to suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar until October 4, 2024, which is the next scheduled hearing date.

Recently, the predecessor bench had issued notice to Puja Khedkar on UPSC plea claiming she committed perjury by submitting false documents to secure favourable orders

The UPSC alleges that Khedkar attempted to manipulate the judicial system and stated that Puja Khedkar has committed perjury by filing a false affidavit and the intent behind making such a blatantly false statement naturally appears to be an attempt to obtain favourable orders on the basis of the false statement.

The UPSC stated that the claim that the Commission collected her biometrics is absolutely false and made with the sole aim and purpose of deceiving this Court for obtaining favourable orders. The said claim is denied since the Commission did not collect any biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) during her Personality Test or carry out any attempts verification on the basis of the same. The Commission has not collected any biometric information from any candidate during the Personality Test of the Civil Services Examinations held so far.

The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad sought response of Puja Khedkar and listed the matter for September 26 alongwith the ongoing anticipatory bail matter of Pujha Khedkar in Delhi High Court.The bench of the Delhi High Court was also examining the Puja Khedkar plea seeking an anticipatatory bail plea and had granted interim protection from arrest in the case.

Puja Khedkar recently filed anticipatory bail application in relation to a FIR registered against her for allegedly “faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts beyond permissible limit” in civil services examination. Recently, Delhi Police registered a FIR on the basis of a complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) against Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar.

Recently, Delhi High Court has also issued notice to suspended IAS trainee Puja Khedkar on an application moved by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) claiming that she made incorrect assertion in petition that she was not served the order of cancellation of candidature.

UPSC stated that communication regarding cancelling her candidature was communicated to her on her registered mail ID. So she falsely submitted before the Delhi High Court earlier that the press release dated 31.07.2024 was not officially communicated to her.