Delhi HC refuses anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar in UPSC cheating case
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in the criminal case lodged against her for alleged cheating and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.
"Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated," Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said while ruling on the plea.
Justice Singh said a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and investigation was required to unearth the conspiracy.
It was a classic case of fraud committed on a constitutional body as well as society, the judge said.
Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits.
The counsel for the Delhi Police as well as the complainant, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), opposed the plea for pre-arrest bail.
The UPSC was represented by senior advocate Naresh Kaushik and lawyer Vardhman Kaushik.
Khedkar has denied all allegations against her.
The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Khedkar in July, including lodging a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act and Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.
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Hubballi: Nine Lord Ayyappa devotees suffer burn injuries in LPG cylinder blast
Hubballi (Karnataka), Dec 23: Nine devotees of Lord Ayyappa sustained serious burn injuries due to a LPG cylinder blast at a Shiva temple here, police said on Monday.
According to police, the incident occurred on Sunday night in Sainagar in the city. The devotees were sleeping in the temple room when the tragedy took place.
All nine injured were immediately admitted to KIMS Hospital. Their condition is said to be critical, police sources said.
Police suspect that the devotees did not turn off the cylinder knob properly after cooking food, resulting in the blast.
The devotees were planning a trip to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala.
