Delhi HC Grants Interim Relief to Suspended IAS Officer Puja Khedkar

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim relief to suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar, barring her immediate arrest in connection with an anticipatory bail plea. The court issued notices to the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after Khedkar challenged a district court’s decision denying her bail. The FIR alleges that Khedkar falsified her identity to gain extra attempts in the civil services examination.

Justice Subramonium Prasad, after reviewing the submissions, directed the investigating agency not to arrest Khedkar while the case is under consideration, with a detailed hearing scheduled for August 21. The High Court noted that the trial court’s order lacked substantial discussion and merely referenced the Public Prosecutor’s claims about others’ involvement. As a result, the court instructed the police not to arrest Khedkar until Friday, pending further proceedings.

During the hearing, the UPSC argued that Khedkar was the “mastermind” behind the alleged scheme, asserting that custodial interrogation is necessary. Khedkar’s plea in the Delhi High Court follows the Patiala House Court’s recent denial of her bail request, citing the seriousness of the allegations against her, which include falsifying identity for additional civil services exam attempts.

The trial court judge, Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala, emphasized the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and others’ involvement. The judge ruled that this case was not suitable for granting anticipatory bail.

Khedkar faces charges under Sections 420, 468, 471, 120B IPC, 66D of the IT Act, and Sections 89/91 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. She is accused of cheating the complainant (UPSC) by misrepresentation, preparing documents to support her claims, and allegedly executing a premeditated conspiracy over several years. The court noted that the accused could not have carried out the conspiracy without assistance.

The court also highlighted the scrutiny of Khedkar’s OBC (non-creamy layer) status and her classification as a person with multiple benchmark disabilities. It emphasized the need for the UPSC, as a Constitutional body conducting exams for prestigious posts, to maintain transparency and fairness in its procedures. The case may represent just the “tip of the iceberg,” potentially indicating broader exploitation of the system.

The court directed the investigating agency to expand its inquiry to include recent candidates who may have similarly exploited the system and to determine whether any UPSC insiders were involved in aiding Khedkar’s illegal actions.

Recently, the Delhi High Court granted Puja Khedkar the liberty to challenge the cancellation of her candidature in the appropriate forum, with the UPSC promising to provide her with the cancellation order within two days.