SC directs former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar to appear before Delhi Police on May 2
New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday directed former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating, and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination, to appear before Delhi Police on May 2.
A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said no coercive steps will be taken against Khedkar till May 21, the next date of hearing.
"It appears there has been no concrete investigation against the petitioner as such. In the circumstances, we direct the petitioner to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Central Range, Crime Branch, 2d Floor, Kamla Market Police Station, Delhi on May 2, 2025, at 10.30 am," the bench said.
The order added, "It is needless to observe that the respondent/police authority is at liberty to interrogate the petitioner on May 2 and/or on any other date on which she may be summoned for the purpose of investigation."
The bench ordered no coercive steps, such as arrest, against Khedkar till the next hearing.
"The aforesaid interim protection has been granted to the petitioner herein subject to the petitioner cooperating with the investigation to be carried out by the respondent/police authority," the bench said and directed Delhi Police to conclude the probe expeditiously.
Additional solicitor general S V Raju, representing Delhi Police, stressed on Khedkar's custodial interrogation.
On January 15, the top court granted her protection from arrest and sought the response of the Delhi government and the UPSC on her plea seeking anticipatory bail.
Her counsel had then argued that the Delhi High Court made strong observations against Khedkar and dismissed her anticipatory bail plea.
Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting facts in her application for the 2022 UPSC civil services examination for availing herself of reservation benefits.
She had refuted all the allegations against her.
While dismissing her anticipatory bail plea, the high court found a strong prima facie case against Khedkar, indicating the need for an investigation to unearth the "larger conspiracy" to manipulate the system.
Khedkar was granted the interim protection from arrest when the high court issued a notice on her anticipatory bail plea on August 12, 2024, extending it from time to time.
The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Khedkar, including lodging of a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity, while Delhi Police lodged an FIR against her for various offences.
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India distances itself from Gaurav Arya’s remarks against Iranian Foreign Minister
New Delhi: India on Saturday distanced itself from remarks made by former army officer and television personality Gaurav Arya against Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi objected to Arya's comments.
Arya, in a video shared online, criticised Araghchi for choosing to visit Pakistan before coming to India amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. His remarks sparked a diplomatic reaction from Iran, with its embassy in India responding strongly.
“Respect for guests has a long-standing tradition in Iranian culture,” the Iranian Embassy stated on X (formerly Twitter), while sharing the video. “We Iranians consider our guests to be beloved by God. How about you?”
Following the diplomatic protest, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a clarification stating that Arya is a private individual and his views do not reflect the official stance of the Indian government.
“The individual in the video is a private Indian citizen. His statements have no connection with the official position of India,” the embassy stated. “The Government of India considers the disrespectful tone used in the video to be inappropriate.”
The Iranian foreign minister had paid an unscheduled visit to Pakistan on May 5 to hold talks with its top leadership amid increasing tensions with India. He later returned to Tehran before heading to New Delhi to co-chair a bilateral Joint Commission meeting, his first visit to India since becoming Iran’s foreign minister in August 2024.
Last month, Araghchi had also offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to “forge greater understanding” following a series of cross-border incidents.
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