'Check If UPSC Insider Helped Puja Khedkar': Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail, Issues Direction For Probe

A Delhi Court on Thursday denied anticipatory bail to former probationer IAS officer Puja Khedkar

Delhi Court directed the probe agency to widen the scope of investigation to include all those who have availed such benefits in past

Source : ANI

A Delhi Court on Thursday denied anticipatory bail to former probationer IAS officer Puja Khedkar over alleged misrepresenting and falsifying facts in her application form for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, 2022. The court asked investigation agency to find out whether an insider from the UPSC helped her.

Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala of Patiala House Courts also directed the probe agency to widen the scope of investigation to include all those who have availed such benefits in past despite not being entitled under persons with benchmark disabilities quota.

The court had concluded hearing arguments and reserved verdict on Wednesday.

Accused of faking disabilty certificate and OBC certificate, Khedkar on Wednesday told the Delhi court that she is being targetted because she filed a sexual harassment case against a Collector.  

Madhavan further told the court that the medical board has said that she is a candidate with multiple disabilities and has permanent benchmark disability.

According to a public statement by UPSC, Khedkar fraudulently availed attempts by faking her identity by changing her name from Pooja to Puja. She is also accused of changing her parents' details. The court was informed that Khedkar's father has declared assets worth Rs 55 crore. To claim OBC quota benefit she has said that her parents are divorced. 

Counsel appearing for UPSC said that Khedkar abused process of law not only before UPSC but also before courts for availing additional attempts. The public prosecutor also opposed the anticipatory bail for her. The court was also told that her medical certificates also have to be investigated.

The court was told that since she has already decieved UPSC and court, she must not be given anticipatory bail as she may influence the case.

On Wednesday, UPSC cancelled Khedkar's candidature and debarred her permanently from all the future examinations and selections of the Commission.