Delhi Court Dismisses Bail of IAS Trainee in UPSC Fraud Case

Delhi's Patiala House Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, accused of using fraud to clear the UPSC exam. Judge Devender Kumar Jangala ordered expanded investigations into other candidates and potential UPSC aiding. Khedkar denies all charges, claiming innocence and compliance with disability quotas.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, who stands accused of using fraudulent means to pass the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala directed the investigating agency to broaden its probe.

The investigation agency has been specifically directed to look into candidates recommended by the UPSC in recent years who might have breached the permissible age limit under the OBC quota and those benefiting from benchmark disabilities without eligibility. The Delhi Police are also tasked with determining whether UPSC officials assisted Khedkar in her alleged fraud.

Khedkar denies all allegations, asserting that she has been wrongly accused. Her anticipatory bail plea argues that no prima facie offense can be identified against her. Advocate Bina Madhvan, representing Khedkar, stated that her disabilities are documented, contradicting the claims made in the FIR. Delhi Police, however, insists custodial interrogation is necessary for a thorough investigation.

Special Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava, representing the Delhi Police, opposed the bail plea, stating Khedkar has frequently changed her stance, justifying the call for her custodial interrogation to clarify inconsistencies. Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik of UPSC argued that Khedkar committed an offense by providing incorrect information, exploiting the law both before UPSC and the courts, thereby offending society.

In her defense, Khedkar highlights her law-abiding record and asserts her constitutionally guaranteed protections. She insists all her submissions comply with regulations and leveraged a disability quota appropriately. Khedkar argues the evidence is primarily documentary and already with the authorities, negating the need for further custodial measures.

The court is examining Khedkar's anticipatory bail against the backdrop of claims that she fraudulently extended her examination attempts by falsifying personal information. The UPSC, which filed an FIR against her, has initiated actions including a show cause notice for canceling her selection and barring her from future exams. Investigations suggest she falsified identity details to exceed permissible attempts.

Besides, a complaint led to the registration of an FIR by the Delhi Police. Following revelations of her alleged fraud, Khedkar was relieved from the District Training Programme of Maharashtra and recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, where her training has been put on hold.