Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Former IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar; Orders Broader Probe

Delhi court has denied anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer accused of fraudulent activities related to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination

P24 News Media

August 01, 2024

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Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Former IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

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Published on: 01 Aug 2024, 4:57 PM

In a significant development within news of UPSC, a Delhi court has denied anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer accused of fraudulent activities related to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

Case Background:

Khedkar is accused of fraudulently using reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) to clear the UPSC exam. The Patiala House Court has not only refused her bail but also directed the Delhi Police to expand their investigation into her actions. The court has instructed the police to investigate whether other individuals might have gained undue advantages from these quotas and if any UPSC officials were involved in aiding her.

Court's Directives:

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Devender Kumar Jangala mandated that the investigation cover:

Verification of candidates who may have exceeded the permissible number of attempts.
Examination of cases where OBC or PwD benefits were granted despite ineligibility.
Inquiry into whether UPSC officials assisted Khedkar.

The Delhi Police lodged the case following a complaint from the UPSC. Investigations revealed that Khedkar allegedly manipulated her identity—changing names, photographs, and contact details—to exceed the permissible limits for attempts, a breach in the process of becoming an IAS officer.

Defense and Reactions:

Khedkar argues that the case stems from a dispute with the Pune Collector, against whom she had previously filed a sexual harassment complaint. She asserts that she should be allowed to defend herself under the service rules.

However, both the Delhi Police and UPSC emphasize the need for custodial interrogation, citing that Khedkar's actions represent a severe breach of the scope of IAS officer ethics. Khedkar has criticized the media for what she describes as a "witch hunt" against her.

Consequences:

In a related decision, the UPSC has canceled Khedkar's selection and permanently barred her from future examinations. The UPSC noted that Khedkar was found “guilty of violating CSE-2022 Rules,” impacting her requirements for becoming an IAS officer.

Representation:

Advocate Bina Madhavan represented Puja Khedkar.
Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava represented the Delhi Police.
Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik appeared for the UPSC.

This case continues to generate significant attention as the investigation broadens, potentially affecting other candidates and the broader process of becoming an IAS officer.

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