Pune: Former IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Bail Request Denied Over Forgery and Cheating Charges
New Delhi/Pune, 1st August 2024: Delhi District Court has denied the anticipatory bail request of former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who faces allegations of cheating and document forgery to gain entry into the Civil Service Examination. This decision follows the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancelling her candidature amid significant controversy just a day prior.
During the court proceedings, Khedkar asserted that the charges against her were retaliation for her filing a sexual harassment complaint against an officer. She argued that anticipatory bail was necessary to prove her innocence. However, the prosecution countered, alleging that she had a history of “cheating the system.”
Khedkar, who was appointed to the IAS in the 2023 Maharashtra cadre, is accused of falsifying documents, including a Physical Disability Certificate and a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, to obtain an OBC reservation in the examination. Additionally, she is alleged to have misrepresented her identity to take the UPSC exam beyond the allowed limits.
The Delhi Police has launched a case against Khedkar based on a UPSC complaint, charging her under sections related to forgery, cheating, the IT Act, and the Disability Act.
Public prosecutor Atul Srivastava emphasized the preliminary nature of the investigation and argued that Khedkar’s custodial interrogation is necessary for further progress. He stressed that individuals who exploit legal processes should be treated with utmost seriousness and noted concerns about her potential to continue abusing the system.
On Wednesday, the UPSC invalidated Khedkar’s provisional IAS candidacy and barred her from future examinations. The commission stated that a review of the records revealed her actions violated the CSE-2022 Rules.
The controversy surrounding Khedkar was highlighted after the Pune District Collector reported her alleged misuse of power to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary. It was claimed that Khedkar demanded undue privileges, such as a separate office, residence, vehicle, and support staff, which are not afforded to trainee officers. She reportedly also issued threats to officials.
Following these reports and additional RTI details questioning her selection, a preliminary investigation suggested that Khedkar had falsified her physical disability certificate and raised doubts about her OBC status due to her family’s significant wealth. The central government has initiated a panel to investigate the allegations against her, alongside the ongoing police case.
Khedkar had previously filed a harassment complaint against Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase, who had reported her alleged misuse of power, leading to her transfer from Pune to Washim.
