Former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar seeks anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court.
Former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail after the Delhi High Court rejected her plea. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently claiming OBC and disability reservations to clear the UPSC exam. She argues that the allegations are based on documents already with the prosecution, negating the need for custodial interrogation. Claiming no criminal history, Khedkar highlights her disability status and protections under the All India Services Act and Disability Rights Act. Following the allegations, UPSC canceled her selection, barred her from future exams, and filed a complaint, leading to her legal challenge.
1/22/20251 min read
Case Overview:
Khedkar, a 34-year-old IAS trainee, faced allegations of misrepresenting information in her UPSC CSE application to avail benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas. The UPSC canceled her provisional candidature for the CSE-2022, citing violations of examination rules. Subsequently, Delhi police initiated an investigation into the matter.
Court Analysis:
The Delhi High Court, in December 2024, denied Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea, emphasizing a strong prima facie case of cheating and forgery. The court noted that her actions appeared driven by a motive to deceive the UPSC and exploit schemes intended for disadvantaged groups. It also highlighted the need for a thorough investigation to uncover a potential larger conspiracy, suggesting possible collusion involving her family and others.
Judgment :
As of January 22, 2025, there is no publicly available Supreme Court judgment regarding Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea. The Delhi High Court's decision to deny anticipatory bail remains the latest judicial pronouncement on the matter.