Former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar denied anticipatory bail by Delhi court

A Delhi court on Aug 1 denied anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar who has been surrounded by controversy after her fraudulent activities of availing OBC and PwD (person with disabilities) quota benefits in the UPSC exam emerged last month.

Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala dismissed Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea in Delhi's Patiala House court. He said Delhi Police "must also investigate if anyone from inside the UPSC helped Khedkar".

Khedkar had filed an anticipatory bail petition in a case registered against her for allegedly using fake identity to get more attempts in the UPSC examination. Her lawyer claimed that she has an “imminent threat of arrest.”

The UPSC on July 31 canceled Khedkar's candidature and debarred her from future exams.

The judge further said to widen the probe directing Delhi Police to investigate if other persons have also availed of any benefits under OBC and PwD quotas without entitlement.

"This person has abused the law and process of law. The chances of her abusing the law are still there. She is a resourceful person," the counsel appearing for the UPSC had claimed before the court.

During the proceeding, the prosecution as well as the counsel appearing for the UPSC had opposed the application, claiming that she had "cheated the system".

UPSC had filed a complaint following which the Delhi Police registered an FIR against her.

Khedkar has been accused of 'misrepresenting information' in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022. She had secured an all-India rank of 821 in the UPSC exams.