Delhi HC denies anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar; says 'her actions were likely part of a larger conspiracy'

PTC Web Desk: The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee officer, who became the centre of controversy earlier this year after allegations surfaced that she forged documents to clear the UPSC examination.

The charges against her include forgery, cheating, and manipulating her identity by changing her name, forging an OBC certificate, and falsely claiming physical and mental disabilities to avail certain benefits.

The Delhi High Court observed that Puja Khedkar’s actions were likely part of a larger conspiracy, aimed at deceiving the authorities. It emphasised that her conduct was driven by a clear intention to dupe not only the UPSC, but the nation at large. The court described her actions as a classic example of fraud that undermined the integrity of public service recruitment processes. The investigation, the court added, revealed that she was unfit for the benefits meant for disadvantaged groups, which she had allegedly exploited for personal gain.

The court's decision on Monday followed an earlier ruling by a city court in August, which had rejected her plea for bail. Puja Khedkar, however, had claimed that her medical disability was legitimate, supported by a certificate from a hospital in Maharashtra, diagnosing her with an ACL tear and knee instability. She argued that her disability should entitle her to consideration under the "divyang" (disabled) category and contended that her name change was a minor issue. According to her, UPSC had verified her identity through biometric data, confirming the authenticity of her documents.

Both the Delhi Police and the UPSC opposed her anticipatory bail plea, arguing that her custody was essential to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. The police further contended that releasing Puja Khedkar on bail could hinder their investigation into possible collusion with other people, including government officials, who may have aided her in forging documents. The UPSC also argued that the alleged fraud committed by Puja Khedkar had damaged public trust in the recruitment system, further necessitating her custody.

In a significant development, the court also hinted at the possibility of Puja Khedkar’s family members being involved in the scheme, suggesting that powerful figures may have helped secure the forged certificates. This led to the speculation that the investigation could expand to include other individuals, including government officials, in the conspiracy.

Puja Khedkar’s troubles began in June when a letter from Pune Collector Suhas Diwase flagged her inappropriate demands for perks during her probation period, which led to an internal inquiry. Subsequently, it was discovered that Puja Khedkar had used relaxed eligibility criteria for OBC candidates and persons with disabilities, raising suspicions regarding her qualifications. Her father’s substantial wealth, including property valued at Rs 40 crore, also came into focus, as it indicated that she did not meet the criteria for the OBC non-creamy layer status.

In early September, the Union Government terminated her services, and the UPSC cancelled her selection. Puja Khedkar has denied all charges, claiming that her troubles began after she filed a sexual harassment complaint against a senior official.