Puja Khedkar case: Delhi HC denies anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer

The UPSC earleir said Khedkar committed a fraud against the commission and the public

The Delhi High Court on Monday denied anticipatory bail to former probationer IAS officer Puja Khedkar accused of “misrepresenting and falsifying facts" in her UPSC application.

The High Court also vacated the interim protection from arrest granted to her. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said that prima facie, a strong case is made out against her.

According to Live Law, the court said that the steps taken by Khedkar were a part of a large conspiracy to manipulate the system and that investigation will be affected if she was granted anticipatory bail.

Noting that UPSC is one of the most prestigious examinations in the world, the court said that it was a classic case where fraud is committed by Khedkar not only with the constitutional body but also society at large.

Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits. The counsel for the Delhi Police as well as the complainant, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), opposed the plea for pre-arrest bail.

The UPSC was represented by senior advocate Naresh Kaushik and lawyer Vardhman Kaushik. Khedkar has denied all allegations against her.

The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Khedkar in July, including lodging a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity.

The Delhi Police registered an FIR under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act and Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.