Today, On 5th September, Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, has expressed her readiness to undergo a disability examination at AIIMS, as conveyed to the Delhi High Court. The case arose after the Delhi Police’s counsel argued that Khedkar had allegedly “concealed facts” regarding her eligibility while appearing for the civil services examination. The counsel claimed she participated in the exam despite not meeting the necessary criteria.
New Delhi: Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that she is ready to undergo a medical examination at AIIMS, following claims by the city police that one of her disability certificates might be “forged” and “fabricated.”
Khedkar, accused of cheating and improperly using the OBC and disability quota benefits, made this statement while the court considered her anticipatory bail plea in the case.
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Her senior counsel stated,
“I am willing to get myself medically examined. First, they say I changed my name. Now, they question my disability. I am willing to go to AIIMS.”
Justice Subramonium Prasad adjourned the matter for further hearing on September 26, noting that the police have requested an additional 10 days for investigation.
The interim protection from arrest granted to Khedkar by the court will remain in place until the next hearing.
The Delhi Police counsel argued,
“Puja Khedkar concealed facts while appearing for the civil services examination, for which she was allegedly ineligible.”
Khedkar’s senior lawyer countered, stating that,
“Police, in their status report, had not requested her custodial interrogation, as all relevant records were already with the authorities.”
However, the police maintained that her custody was essential to expose the “conspiracy” and identify other individuals involved. Khedkar accused of misrepresenting information in her 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination application to secure reservation benefits.
On July 31, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) canceled her candidature and barred her from future exams. Khedkar has denied all allegations. Both the UPSC and Delhi Police have sought to dismiss her pre-arrest bail plea, arguing that granting her relief would impede the investigation into the “deep-rooted conspiracy,” which could affect public trust and the integrity of the civil services examination.
The police further claimed Khedkar submitted two different disability certificates for the 2022 and 2023 civil services exams, with the latter likely being “forged and fabricated.”
UPSC previously stated,
“Khedkar committed fraud against both the Commission and the public, and that her custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the full extent of the fraud, which may have involved other individuals.”
In July, the UPSC initiated actions against Khedkar, including filing a criminal case for misusing her identity to attempt the civil services exam.
The Delhi Police has since filed an FIR under the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act. On August 1, a sessions court denied Khedkar’s anticipatory bail, citing serious allegations that require a thorough investigation.