Delhi HC extends pre-arrest bail for ex-IAS Puja Khedkar
The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended interim protection from arrest for former probationary Indian Administrative Services officer Puja Khedkar until September 5. To recall, Khedkar is accused of fraudulently exceeding the permissible number of attempts in the Union Public Service Commission examination by faking her identity.
Why does this story matter?
Khedkar, a 2022 batch officer, was accused of misusing her power by using a red siren, VIP plates, and a "Government of Maharashtra" sticker on her private Audi. After these allegations, she was transferred from Pune to Washim. On July 31, the UPSC annulled her candidature and barred her from future exams conducted by the commission.
UPSC's action against Khedkar
Last month, the UPSC took action against Khedkar, including filing a criminal case for allegedly faking her identity to increase attempts in the civil services exam. The Delhi Police registered an FIR under the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.
UPSC can't disqualify me: Khedkar to HC
On Wednesday, Khedkar argued before the Delhi High Court that the UPSC lacks the authority to disqualify her after her selection and appointment. She stated that any action against her should be taken solely by the Centre's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
What Khedkar said in court
In a four-page response, Khedkar refuted the UPSC's allegations of using fake documents and committing fraud. She asserted that she had neither changed her first name or surname between 2012 and 2022, nor misrepresented her name to the commission. She also said her identity was verified by UPSC through biometric data collected during personality tests conducted in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
UPSC opposed pre-arrest bail
In its August 20 reply, the UPSC opposed pre-arrest bail for Khedkar, arguing that her custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the people involved in securing her provisional selection in CSE-2022. The commission added that the fraud allegedly committed by Khedkar was unprecedented.
'Fraud committed against public...': UPSC
It further said that the fraud was committed not only against the commission, whose integrity is unmatched, but also against the public who trust in its credibility. On August 21, despite opposition from the Delhi Police and UPSC, the high court extended Khedkar's interim protection from arrest until August 29.
