'Targeted Because I Filed Sexual Harassment Case': Puja Khedkar Tells Court

Accused of faking disability certificate and OBC non-creamy layer certificate, Puja Khedkar has told the Delhi's court that she is being targeted because she filed a sexual harassment case.

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.

Source : ANI

Accused of faking disabilty certificate, probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has told the Delhi's Patiala House court that she is being targetted because she filed a sexual harassment case. The Delhi court is hearing her anticipatory bail plea. 

Matter was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala of Patiala House Courts. The court reserved the verdict after concluding arguments.

Advocate Bina Madhavan who appeared for Khedkar told the court that her client was being targetted for filing a sexual harassment case against collector, the Live Law reported.  

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

"Percentage is 47 percent in relation to her whole body...It is not by one but it is by eight doctors. The remark is total percent of multiple disabilities. It is by board of AIIMS. The original copy is with UPSC. Where is the fraud? The provisions put against me are not applicable," Madhavan told the court. 

The counsel for Khedkar further told the court that she is pressing for anticipatory bail and she has to adress the show cause notice issued to her by UPSC.

 "I need to answer show cause, I need to defend and I need anticipatory bail. The prosecutor's reply says custodial interrogation. This puts my apprehension on record that they'll arrest her. I am a victim of witch-hunt," Kehdkar's lawyer told court, the live law reported.

Khedkar has been accused of misrepresenting and falsifying facts in her application for UPSC 2022.

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 today 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.