‘Has she committed a murder, she is not involved in drug case’, SC grants anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging documents to obtain eligibility for the 2022 civil services examination. The apex court has made it clear that even if she is arrested in a case registered by the Delhi Police, she should be released on bail. The case was registered against Puja in the incident of changing the caste in her name and presenting a fake caste certificate to show that she has a physical disability and belongs to a backward class in the civil services examination.

The Supreme Court rejected the Delhi High Court's November order denying bail to Puja in the case. The Supreme Court rejected the Delhi High Court's conclusion that she was not cooperating in the case. 'What do you mean by not cooperating? Puja has not committed any murder. It is not a punishable offence in a drug case. She will cooperate,' said Justice B V Nagaratna, who considered the case.

The Delhi Police's lawyer had opposed Puja's release on bail. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju argued in the court that her continued custody was necessary to obtain evidence of Puja's conspiracy. The Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Puja in January on a plea filed against the high court order. The bail was extended in March. Following this, she was granted anticipatory bail today. The court also warned her not to try to influence witnesses or destroy evidence.