Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar has approached the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a cheating case involving her UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 application. The plea, scheduled for a hearing before Justice Subramonium Prasad on Friday, comes amid allegations that Khedkar misrepresented information to secure reservation benefits.
Khedkar’s application for anticipatory bail follows a series of legal challenges. On July 31, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) canceled her candidature and barred her from future examinations. The decision came after claims that she had exploited OBC and disability quotas through fraudulent means.
A sessions court had previously denied her request for anticipatory bail on August 1, citing serious allegations that required a thorough investigation. The court emphasized the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify any accomplices.
The sessions court’s order highlighted concerns over potential insider involvement and stressed that the case might reveal broader issues beyond Khedkar’s individual actions. Despite her claims of being falsely implicated and subjected to a media trial, the court noted the presence of substantial incriminating evidence against her.
The Delhi Police has been directed to conduct a comprehensive and fair investigation, including examining whether other candidates or UPSC insiders may have been involved in similar fraudulent activities.
Sources By Agencies