Infotainment

SC Relief For Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar, No Arrest Till Feb 14

Shubh Labh January 15, 2025

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In a significant relief, the Supreme Court has granted temporary protection from arrest to controversial former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar. The court ruled that no coercive action shall be taken against her until February 14, 2025. This decision comes after Khedkar approached the top court following her denial of bail by the Delhi High Court.

Puja Khedkar is accused of fraudulently using forged disability certificates to avail reservation benefits and clear the civil services exam. She allegedly misrepresented her disabilities and also altered personal details, including her name and her parents’ names, to appear for the UPSC exam more than the permissible limit.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra, issued notices to the Delhi government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and scheduled the next hearing for February 14.

Khedkar’s claim of physical disability, supported by a certificate from a hospital in Maharashtra, was central to her defense. She argued that only her attempts under the ‘divyang’ category should be counted. She further claimed that the UPSC had not found any fake documents after verifying her biometric data, and the only change made was to her middle name.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had denied her bail, stating that the charges were a “classic example of fraud” committed against both authorities and the nation. However, Khedkar has denied the charges and claimed she was being targeted for leveling sexual harassment allegations against a senior official.

In July, the UPSC revoked her selection as a junior government officer and barred her from making further attempts in the civil services exams. She was dismissed from her position by the government two months later.