Delhi High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Former IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar in UPSC Fraud Case

The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar, who is accused of fraudulently clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh ruled that a prima facie case had been established against Khedkar, highlighting her alleged misuse of reservation benefits and forgery.

The court observed that Khedkar had falsely claimed eligibility for quotas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories, despite not meeting the criteria. Evidence presented to the court suggested that she collaborated with unidentified individuals to forge documents and deceive the UPSC.

“In this case, prima facie, it has been established that the petitioner acted with the intent to defraud UPSC by arranging falsified documents to exploit benefits meant for disadvantaged groups,” the court stated.

The Bench also examined Khedkar’s social and financial background, which revealed signs of possible complicity from her family. Justice Singh noted that Khedkar’s family members, who reportedly own luxury vehicles and multiple properties, might have played a role in orchestrating the fraudulent activity. “Given their high social standing and past positions, there is a strong likelihood that her parents colluded with influential individuals to facilitate the production of forged documents,” the court remarked.

Emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations, the court deemed custodial interrogation necessary to uncover the details of the alleged conspiracy. Justice Singh pointed out the broader implications of the case, stating, “The fraudulent actions of the petitioner undermine the credibility of the UPSC examination system. This exam is one of the most prestigious in the world, with lakhs of aspirants dedicating years of hard work to secure a place in the coveted civil services. Such practices raise questions about the integrity of the exam-conducting body.”

The court rejected Khedkar’s plea for anticipatory bail, arguing that granting it could hinder the investigation into what it described as a “large conspiracy.”

The case traces back to allegations that Khedkar exploited reservation benefits under OBC and PwD categories to clear the highly competitive UPSC examination. Following these allegations, the UPSC annulled her selection, citing her violation of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 rules. She was also permanently barred from participating in future UPSC exams.

Based on a complaint filed by the UPSC, the Delhi Police registered a case against Khedkar. In response, she sought interim protection from arrest, which the High Court had granted on August 12, subject to her cooperation with the investigation. However, this protection has now been vacated with the High Court’s latest ruling.

The court’s decision underscores the need for transparency and fairness in one of the most sought-after examinations in India, sending a strong message against any attempts to manipulate the system.