**Supreme Court Orders Puja Khedkar to Appear Before Delhi Police**
The Supreme Court has mandated that Puja Khedkar appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on May 2 as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of cheating. The court has also instructed the Delhi Police to expedite their inquiry into the former IAS trainee’s case.
A two-judge bench, consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, expressed concern over the Delhi Police’s failure to present substantial evidence against Khedkar and their decision not to summon her for questioning.
Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer from the 2023 batch, was dismissed from civil services during her probation due to allegations of forging a disability certificate to gain reservation benefits in the UPSC examination. She has also faced accusations of making improper demands during her service in Pune, which resulted in her transfer to Washim. The court was reviewing Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea related to irregularities in the UPSC selection process.
In response to the situation, Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Khedkar, stated that she has been willing to cooperate with the investigation but has not been called in for questioning since receiving interim protection in August of the previous year. He noted that Khedkar had reached out to the police in March to express her availability but had not received a response. Luthra questioned the necessity of her custody, emphasizing that the maximum punishment for the alleged offenses is seven years, and previous court rulings have indicated that custody is not warranted in such cases.
Conversely, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju argued that Khedkar’s custodial interrogation is essential while the investigation is ongoing. He raised concerns that the Supreme Court’s protective order might hinder her willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Justice BV Nagarathna clarified that the directive to refrain from coercive actions meant that Khedkar would not be arrested, but it did not excuse her from cooperating with the investigation. The court instructed the Delhi Police to summon her for questioning, noting the absence of concrete evidence and the lack of prior investigation.
The Supreme Court has ordered Khedkar to report to the Delhi Police Crime Branch on May 2 at 10:30 AM, allowing the police to interrogate her without taking any coercive measures under the FIR. The court urged the police to complete their investigation as swiftly as possible, warning that severe consequences would follow if they failed to do so.
**FAQ**
**Q: What are the allegations against Puja Khedkar?**
A: Puja Khedkar faces allegations of forging a disability certificate for reservation benefits during the UPSC examination and making wrongful demands during her service, leading to her transfer.
