Delhi High Court denies anticipatory bail to ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar

The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar who is accused of fraudulently clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination..Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said that a prima facie case was made out about Khedkar's acts to dupe UPSC by availing benefits of quotas meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) though she was not eligible for the same.The material revealed that she was not a fit candidate for such benefits and that she had forged documents in connivance with unknown persons, the single-judge said."In instant case, prima facie it is established that conduct of the petitioner has been truly driven with the motive to dupe the complainant UPSC and all the documents arranged by her were done in order to reap benefits of schemes meant for disadvantaged groups in the society," the Court said.The Court also noted her financial and social background, indicating that there is a high possibility that her family members also colluded with her."Apart from owning luxury cars and various properties, the family of the petitioner, that is father and mother, have held high positions, therefore there is high possibility that family members have colluded with unknown powerful persons in order to get the requisite certificates produced by the petitioner," the Court said.Hence, her custodial interrogation would be required to unearth the fraud, the Bench ruled."This Court is of the opinion that steps taken by the petitioner were part of large conspiracy to manipulate the system and investigation in this regard would be impacted if she is granted anticipatory bail. UPSC exam is considered one of the prestigious examinations in the world and a large number of people appear for the said exam, do hard labour to secure a seat in the coveted all india services. It is a known fact that lakhs of students appear in the exam and put in a number of years in order to succeed. The fraudulent practice adopted by petitioner raises questions on authenticity of exam conducting agency," the Court said while rejecting her plea for anticipatory bail. An interim order granting Khedkar protection from arrest was passed on August 12 this year with directions to co-operate in the investigation. The protection from arrest continued till the passing of today's order..Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing reservation meant for OBC and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities to clear the UPSC exam.After the allegations came to light, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar's selection and permanently debarred her from all future exams and selections, finding her “guilty of violating CSE-2022 Rules."The Delhi Police later lodged a case against Khedkar on a complaint filed by the UPSC.She then approached the High Court for anticipatory bail.On August 12, the High Court had granted her interim protection from arrest. With today's order, the same would stand vacated..Advocates Bina Madhavan, Shreyasi, Shantanu Raj, Nimesh and Tridev Sagar appeared for Khedkar. Additional Standing Counsel Sanjeev Bhandari with Advocates Charu Sharma, Arjit Sharma, Vaibhav Vats and Nikunj Bindal appeared for the State.Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik with Advocates Vardhman Kaushik, Anand Singh, Vinay Kaushik and Pooja Thayat appeared for UPSC.[Read Judgment]