UPSC cheating case: Ex-trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar denied anticipatory bail | Delhi News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday dismissed former IAS officer Puja Khedkar‘s anticipatory bail plea and vacated the interim protection previously granted to her.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, while rejecting Khedkar’s plea, said that the UPSC is a prestigious examination and remarked that the case reflects fraud against both the organisation and society.
The court stressed the need for interrogation to unravel the conspiracy.
“The conduct in this case, prima facie, appears to be aimed at deceiving the organisation,” the court observed, adding that Khedkar was not entitled to the benefits she accessed through forged documents.
The court noted the high-ranking positions of her parents, hinting at potential collusion with influential figures.
Khedkar faces criminal charges from the Delhi Police for allegedly cheating and wrongfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services exam.
Advocate Bina Madhvan, representing Khedkar, assured the court of her willingness to cooperate with the investigation, arguing that custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
However, special public prosecutor Sanjeev Bhandari, representing the Delhi Police, maintained that custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the larger conspiracy.
“Certain aspects of the conspiracy still need examination,” Bhandari stated, saying that Khedkar’s name change was done to fraudulently secure more attempts.
The Delhi Police had earlier opposed Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, revealing that a broader conspiracy was surfacing as the investigation progressed.
Meanwhile, the UPSC withdrew its perjury application but indicated plans to file a separate one. The Commission accused Khedkar of manipulating the judicial system by filing false affidavits.
“Puja Khedkar committed perjury by filing a false affidavit… with the intent to obtain favorable orders,” UPSC claimed.
UPSC dismissed Khedkar’s assertion that the Commission collected her biometrics as “absolutely false” and aimed at deceiving the court.
“The Commission did not collect any biometrics during her personality test or attempt verification based on them,” the UPSC stated.
A recent FIR was filed by Delhi Police following UPSC’s complaint against Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, alleging she faked her identity to fraudulently exceed the permissible exam attempts.
The high court also issued notice to Khedkar after UPSC claimed she falsely asserted she was not informed of her candidature cancellation.
UPSC clarified that the cancellation was communicated to her via registered email, contradicting her earlier statement in court.
(With inputs from agencies)