The Delhi High Court has demanded a response from the former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of fraudulently clearing the civil services examination, to a perjury application filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The application was filed by Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, who appeared on behalf of the UPSC and argued on the maintainability of the perjury application.
Mr. Kaushik submitted that in the now disposed-of writ petition filed by Khedkar, the controversial officer had claimed that the speaking order cancelling her candidature was not served, which is why she was only challenging the press release. However, he argued that the speaking order had already been served to her.
Ms. Khedkar gave this false information to a senior counsel appearing for her, who thus made wrong submissions before the Court. Also, it was pointed out that Khedkar’s affidavit in the writ petition was attested on July 28th, 2024, whereas the press release that she challenged in her writ petition is dated July 31st, 2024.
Ex-IAS Khedkar had moved the Delhi High Court to quash the UPSC press release dated July 31st announcing the cancellation of her candidature and debarment from future examinations/selections.
This writ petition was later withdrawn with the liberty to approach the appropriate forum. The present application for perjury has been filed by UPSC against false statements/averments made by her in the writ petition.
Ms. Puja Khedkar, a 2022 batch ex-IAS officer under training, became a subject of intense discourse over the internet and national television after allegations arose that she had lied about her mental and visual condition, through “fraudulently” obtained certificates from the District Civil Hospital in Ahmednagar, to secure an officer’s post despite an unremarkable score in the ultra-competitive qualifying exam. Khedkar was “diagnosed” with Locomotor Disability and a 7% permanent disability concerning her left lower limb. She also obtained a second certificate, which covered both low vision and mental illness (depression).
The conundrum was fueled when it was learned that Khedkar, while going through the selection process for an IAS post, had refused to undergo a mandatory medical test to confirm her disabilities six times in a row! It is pertinent to mention that she secured an All India Rank of 821 under the Physical Disability (PWD-5) category in the 2022 UPSC exams.
The entire fiasco unfurled after she made demands for a separate cabin and staff during her Pune posting. She demanded a red-blue beacon light, a VIP number plate, along with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board affixed to her private Audi car and other shenanigans while being posted as the Super Numerary Assistant Collector in Pune.
The Centre, vide order dated September 6th, 2024, discharged Ms. Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service under Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, with immediate effect.
