The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to Ms. Pooja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS trainee officer, who is under investigation for allegedly securing eligibility for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 through forged documents and misusing the OBC and Divyang (PwBD) quotas.
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A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed objections raised by the Delhi Police, asserting that Ms. Khedkar is not accused of crimes like terrorism or murder. The court remarked: “She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed Section 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. You should have a system or software. Complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere.”
The bench also noted that the Delhi High Court should have granted her bail earlier and instructed that she fully cooperate with the investigation. The court reiterated that failure to cooperate would lead to strict action.
Background of the Case
Ms. Khedkar, who secured All India Rank 841 in UPSC CSE 2022, was under training as an Assistant Collector in Pune. She drew attention after allegedly using a private Audi with a VIP number plate and sirens, which led to her transfer to Washim district. Soon after, an FIR was lodged against her based on allegations of using forged disability and OBC certificates to claim reservation benefits in the exam.
The UPSC later cancelled her candidature and barred her from future exams, citing fraudulent documentation.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch is investigating the case. In an earlier directive, the Supreme Court had asked Ms. Khedkar to appear before the police on May 2, 2025, which she complied with. She has publicly denied all allegations, calling the charges false and politically motivated, and reiterated her willingness to cooperate.
Ms. Khedkar faces criminal charges of cheating, forgery, and using false information to claim UPSC benefits. The Delhi High Court, while rejecting her earlier bail plea, called it a serious case of fraud against a constitutional institution and also highlighted the potential misuse of influence, as her parents are senior government officials.
While Ms. Khedkar is not out of legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court’s decision grants her interim relief from arrest. The Delhi Police have been instructed to expedite the investigation, and her cooperation will be closely monitored.
This high-profile case continues to raise critical questions about quota misuse, verification mechanisms, and institutional integrity in India’s top civil services examination.
