Ex-IAS trainee’s pre-arrest bail extended
New Delhi, August 29
The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended interim protection from arrest granted to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until September 5.
Khedkar faces allegations of fraudulently availing extra attempts in the UPSC examination by falsifying her identity. Last month, the UPSC took action against Khedkar, including the registration of a criminal case, for allegedly manipulating her identity to secure additional attempts in the civil services exam.
The Delhi Police filed an FIR under the IPC, the Information Technology Act, and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act. Subsequently, on July 31, the UPSC cancelled her candidature and barred her from future examinations.
Khedkar, however, contested the allegations. In her petition for pre-arrest bail, she argued that the UPSC lacks the authority to disqualify her after her selection and appointment, asserting that any disciplinary action should be taken only by the Centre’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
She stated: “There has been no change in the applicant’s first name and surname, from 2012 to 2022, as consistently reflected in all Detailed Application Forms (DAF). The applicant has not manipulated or misrepresented her name to UPSC.”
In response, the UPSC opposed her bail, adding that her custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the truth behind the alleged fraud.
The commission described the case as an “unprecedented” breach of public trust, saying that the alleged fraud “was not only committed against the commission, whose traditions are unparalleled, but also against the public at large.”
Khedkar in her plea said that none of the documents produced were forged, fabricated, or created and that they were all issued by competent authorities.
She further argued that her custodial interrogation was unnecessary, as the commission already possessed all relevant documentation. Despite opposition from the Delhi Police and UPSC, the High Court extended her interim protection from arrest on August 21.
