Delhi HC Grants Interim Protection to Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

IAS Pooja Khedkar

The Delhi High Court on Monday (August 12) granted interim protection from arrest to former trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of fraudulently clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad provided Khedkar with interim relief until August 21, while issuing a notice to the Delhi Police and UPSC in response to her anticipatory bail petition.

The court observed that the trial court, in denying Khedkar’s request for bail, appeared to be overly influenced by the allegations against her and failed to properly assess the merits of her bail plea. Justice Prasad noted that in high-profile cases, courts can become entangled in the complexities of the allegations, sometimes losing sight of the actual relief being sought.

“In such significant matters, we often get so embroiled in the arguments that the purpose of the bail application is overshadowed,” Justice Prasad remarked.

Both the UPSC and Delhi Police argued that the case involves a well-planned conspiracy, with the investigation still ongoing. Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, described the case as a “classical” example of mental faculties being misused, highlighting the multiple coincidences that suggest a meticulously planned crime.

The Bench has asked the police and UPSC to provide detailed explanations in their reply regarding the alleged conspiracy and the necessity for Khedkar’s custody.

Earlier, on August 1, a Delhi court had denied bail to Khedkar and directed the Delhi Police to investigate whether other individuals had improperly benefited from reservations under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories.

Puja Khedkar is accused of fraudulently obtaining reservations under the OBC and PwD categories to clear the UPSC exam. Earlier this month, the UPSC canceled Khedkar’s selection and permanently barred her from all future exams and selections after finding her guilty of violating the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 Rules.

The Delhi Police registered the case against Khedkar following a complaint by the UPSC. The UPSC’s investigation revealed that Khedkar had also allegedly exceeded the permissible number of attempts by falsifying her identity, including changing her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address.