THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 29: The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended the interim protection from arrest for former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar until September 5.
She is facing accusations of fraudulently accessing OBC and disability quota benefits.
Justice Subramonium Prasad has deferred the hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar to September 5.
The deferral was granted because the Delhi Police asked for more time to review Puja Khedkar’s rejoinder and to submit a new status report.
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In her rejoinder to the Delhi High Court, Puja Khedkar stated that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) does not have the authority to disqualify her. She contended that the UPSC, which oversees the civil services examination, lacks jurisdiction to disqualify candidates in this context.
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.
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