THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 12: The Delhi High Court on Monday provided former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar with interim protection from arrest until August 21. She faces allegations of cheating and misusing the benefits of the OBC and disability quotas.
Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to respond to Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, issuing them notices to do so.
Justice Prasad stated that considering the circumstances of the current case, the court believes the petitioner should not be arrested until the next hearing.
The court set the next hearing for August 21.
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Khedkar forged documents to avail disability and quota benefits
Khedkar is alleged to have misrepresented facts in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 to claim reservation benefits.
Khedkar, who was appointed as an IAS officer in the 2023 Maharashtra cadre, is alleged to have forged documents, such as a Physical Disability Certificate and a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, to secure OBC reservation in the competitive exam. She is also accused of falsifying her identity to take the UPSC exam beyond the allowed number of attempts.
On July 31, the UPSC revoked Khedkar’s candidature and prohibited her from future examinations. The UPSC stated that it thoroughly reviewed the available records and determined that she was guilty of violating the rules of the CSE-2022.
On August 1, Delhi’s Patiala House Court rejected the anticipatory bail request of Puja Khedkar.
