Delhi court denies anticipatory bail to ex-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar
What's the story
A Delhi court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar, who is accused of fraudulently passing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.
The decision was made by Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala, who also instructed the Delhi Police to broaden their investigation into the case.
The judge ordered the police to determine if other people wrongfully benefited from quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD).
Investigation widened
Court orders expansion of investigation scope
"The agency is directed to find out the candidates recommended [by the UPSC] in recent past who have availed benefits beyond permissible age limit under OBC quota and those who availed Persons with Benchmark Disabilities benefits despite not being entitled to it," Jangala said.
The case against Khedkar was initiated by the Delhi Police following a complaint lodged by the UPSC.
Fraudulent actions
Allegations against Khedkar detailed
Investigations into the case revealed that Khedkar had "fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the Examination Rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father's and mother's name, her photograph/ signature, her email ID, mobile number and address."
On Wednesday, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar's selection and permanently barred her from all future exams and selections.
The commission stated that she was found "guilty of violating CSE-2022 Rules."
Defense and counter
Khedkar's defense and UPSC's counter argument
Khedkar, on the other hand, argued for her right to defend herself under service rules, alleging that the case against her was instigated by a Pune collector whom she had accused of sexual harassment.
However, both the Delhi Police and UPSC countered this claim, asserting that custodial interrogation was necessary as Khedkar had deceived the system and society.
The court heard arguments from both sides before making its decision.
Statement
'Nonsensical': Pune collector on 'harassment' charge
Meanwhile, Pune collector Suhas Diwase has denied harassment allegations made by Khedkar.
Diwase labeled Khedkar's claims as "nonsensical" and "made as an afterthought."
Diwase clarified that Khedkar was attached to the collector's office from June 3 to 14.
He added, "During this time, I met her only thrice...that too in the company of my officers and lawyers."
After June 14, Khedkar was transferred to the office of the Divisional Commissioner, he said.