SC relief for former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar; interim protection from arrest extended

Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar got relief from the Supreme Court on March 18, with the top court extending its interim order protecting her from arrest. Khedkar is accused in a document forging case, which she allegedly did to qualify for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma instructed the Delhi police to expedite their investigation into the matter. The court questioned why the probe was not progressing, especially since Khedkar had stated in an affidavit her willingness to cooperate. Justice Nagarathna urged Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Delhi Police, to ensure the investigation is pursued diligently.

The bench scheduled a hearing for April 15 regarding Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea. During the proceedings, ASG Raju argued that custodial interrogation of Khedkar was necessary to uncover a broader scheme involving fake documents submitted by UPSC candidates. He noted, "We have found that this is a scam which may involve persons who are involved in giving certificates, etc. We want to investigate whether hers is an isolated case or if there are more instances."


The court acknowledged the need to identify the source of the allegedly forged certificates but indicated that this does not necessitate Khedkar's detention. Khedkar's counsel refuted the forgery allegations, explaining that she was diagnosed with a low-vision disability in 2018 and has since attempted the UPSC exam three times. The counsel argued that her attempts as a disabled candidate had not yet been exhausted, prompting the bench to assert, "You must have to justify your attempts."

Khedkar is appealing a Delhi High Court ruling that denied her anticipatory bail. In January, the Supreme Court had granted her interim protection from arrest, provided she cooperated with the investigation. She is accused of fraudulently accessing reservations intended for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to pass the UPSC exam.

The Delhi High Court, in rejecting her bail plea, labeled her case a "classic example of fraud, not only with a constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole," stressing the importance of interrogation to unveil the conspiracy. The High Court also noted the high-ranking positions of Khedkar's parents, implying potential collusion with influential individuals. Khedkar faces criminal charges from the Delhi Police for cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.