Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar Denied Bail, Appeals to Supreme Court
Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee who faced allegations of forging documents and misrepresenting her identity to clear the civil services examination, has approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court’s decision to deny her anticipatory bail. The Supreme Court is expected to hear her plea on Wednesday.
Khedkar, who was accused of manipulating her disability status, changing her surname, and submitting a forged backward class certificate, has claimed the High Court’s decision was “erroneous” in her petition.
In its December ruling, the Delhi High Court dismissed Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, calling the allegations a “classic example of fraud.” The court remarked that her actions amounted to a conspiracy against not just an institution but the nation at large.
The bench also described Khedkar as “unfit for appointment,” emphasizing that her actions appeared calculated to exploit systems designed to assist disadvantaged groups.
Allegations
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has alleged that Khedkar attempted the civil services examination beyond the permissible six attempts for general category candidates. She reportedly changed her and her parents’ names, making it difficult to trace the violations.
Khedkar had previously presented a Maharashtra hospital certificate diagnosing her with an “old ACL tear with left knee instability” to justify her claim of physical disability. She argued before the High Court that her attempts in the ‘divyang’ category should not count against the general category limit.
In her defense, she asserted, “UPSC verified my identity through biometric data and did not find my documents fake or incorrect.”
Revocation of Appointment
In July, the UPSC annulled her selection as a junior government officer and barred her from appearing for future civil services exams. By September, the Union government terminated her employment altogether.
Khedkar has vehemently denied all charges, claiming she is a victim of retaliation. She alleged that the actions against her stem from a sexual harassment complaint she had filed against a senior official.
The case has sparked discussions about the integrity of the civil services examination process and the measures needed to prevent such alleged misconduct. It also highlights the balance between safeguarding reservation benefits and ensuring the process remains untainted.
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