Delhi High Court extends interim protection from arrest for IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar in UPSC fraud case

Delhi High Court has granted probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar further interim protection from arrest until September 5 in the ongoing UPSC fraud case. This marks the second extension of interim protection from arrest following the Delhi High Court's order on August 21, which provided relief until Thursday, August 29.

Last month, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) debarred Puja Khedkar from future exams and cancelled her candidature after it came to light that she fraudulently availed attempts in the examination beyond the permissible limit by faking her identity. The actions against the IAS trainee officer also included registering criminal cases.

Delhi Police registered an FIR in the case under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and Right of Persons with Disability Act. The Commission said Puja Khedkar misrepresented information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits.

On Wednesday, August 28, Puja Khedkar refuted the allegations of fake documents and fraud. She told the Delhi High Court that only the Centre’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) possesses the power to take action against her. In the response filed before the court on the UPSC's charges against her, she claimed that UPSC did not have the power to disqualify her candidature. Puja Khedkar is seeking anticipatory bail in the UPSC fraud case.

In a four-page reply, she stated, "Once selected and appointed as a Probationary Officer, UPSC does not have the power to disqualify the candidature," NDTV reported. Puja Khedkar refuted all allegations and asserted that she did not manipulate or misrepresent her name to the commission or change her first name and surname from 2012 to 2022.

The reply states, “The applicant has not manipulated or misrepresented her name to UPSC. All other details, including academic certificates, Aadhaar card, date of birth, and personal information, have remained consistent in the DAF,” Hindustan Times reported, citing the reply.