THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 1: Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail request of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who faces allegations of cheating and improperly obtaining benefits under the OBC and PwD (persons with disabilities) quotas.
Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala directed the Delhi Police to investigate whether anyone within the UPSC may have assisted Khedkar.
The judge broadened the inquiry, directing the Delhi Police to look into whether additional individuals have fraudulently received benefits under OBC and PwD quotas.
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Both the prosecution and the UPSC’s counsel opposed the application during the proceedings alleging that she had cheated the system.
The UPSC’s counsel argued before the court that she has misused the law and legal processes and that there is still a risk of her continuing to do so, citing her resourceful nature.
On Wednesday, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s candidacy and barred her from participating in future exams. The UPSC stated that it thoroughly reviewed the available records and determined that she was guilty of violating the rules of the CSE-2022.
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.
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