https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Supreme Court Asks Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar to Respond to Fraud Charges by April 15

The court remarked that a candidate who has exhausted attempts as an abled candidate cannot claim separate attempts as a disabled candidate
IAS Puja Khedkar
Indian Masterminds Stories

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed discharged IAS probationary officer Ms. Puja Khedkar to respond by April 15 to the Delhi Police’s charges of fraudulently availing quota benefits to appear multiple times in the Civil Services Examination (CSE).

Also Read: After Puja Khedkar Case, UPSC Receives 30 Complaints Challenging the Credentials Of Several Other Selected Civil Servants

Court’s Observations

The court remarked that a candidate who has exhausted attempts as an abled candidate cannot claim separate attempts as a disabled candidate. A bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, along with Justice S.C. Sharma, asked Ms. Khedkar to justify her position while responding to the Delhi Police’s allegation that she was part of a larger racket.

Ms. Khedkar maintained that she still had remaining attempts under the disability category. However, the court firmly stated, “You cannot have separate attempts for abled and disabled categories.”

Supreme Court Extends Protection from Arrest

The Supreme Court had earlier issued a notice on January 15, 2025, granting Ms. Khedkar protection from arrest or any coercive action. This protection has now been extended until the next hearing.

Background of the Case

Ms. Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, was discharged from service on September 7, 2024, following an investigation into her misuse of OBC and PwBD quota benefits. Her candidature was canceled by UPSC on July 31, 2024, due to suppression of information.

Delhi Police’s Allegations

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Mr. S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, stated that Ms. Khedkar was aided by others in forging medical certificates to obtain multiple attempts in CSE. He argued that there was a “bigger scam” and that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.

However, the Supreme Court questioned whether custodial interrogation was required, stating that Ms. Khedkar was not the “kingpin” of the alleged scam. The court directed the police to proceed with their investigation “steadfastedly” and questioned why she had not yet been called for interrogation.

Fraudulent Attempts and Disability Claims

According to the Delhi Police, Ms. Khedkar appeared for the CSE under the backward class category since 2012. In 2018, she claimed disability status, citing 40% low vision. She exhausted her nine permissible attempts in 2020 but allegedly continued to appear under a changed name. In 2022, she secured selection under the disability quota.

The police pointed out that two disability certificates were issued by the same hospital in Maharashtra on January 18, 2021—one indicating 40% low vision disability and another claiming hearing impairment and locomotor disability.

Khedkar’s Defense

Ms. Khedkar’s lawyer, Ms. Bina Madhavan, argued that her disability developed over time and that she qualified for the disability quota only after passing medical evaluations by AIIMS doctors. She insisted that as a PwBD candidate, she had only attempted CSE three times and had not yet exhausted her attempts.

She further argued that the charges against her were based on documentary evidence already in police possession, making custodial interrogation unnecessary.

Previous Court Rulings

Earlier, both the Delhi High Court and a city court denied Ms. Khedkar pre-arrest bail, with the High Court making scathing observations about a larger conspiracy. The court noted that her actions were an attempt to manipulate the UPSC system.

Next Steps

Ms. Khedkar must submit her response by April 15, after which the Supreme Court will decide whether her protection from arrest will continue. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police is expected to intensify its investigation into the alleged scam.

Also Read: Former IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar Moves Supreme Court Against Denial of Anticipatory Bail


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PM Modi
MP: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar; Inaugurates Indore Metro, Datia & Satna Airports; Emphasizes Women Empowerment
IAS Officer IPS Officer
IAS Vishal Gupta Appointed Private Secy to Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, IPS Dinesh Kumar P Cleared For Central Deputation
IFS Officer CP Marak
Retired IFS Officer CP Marak Sworn In as Chairperson of Meghalaya Lokayukta - Know More About Him
IAS Manivannan P
Karnataka: IAS Manivannan P. Appointed BDA Commissioner with Concurrent Charge Amidst Crucial Infrastructure Push
RVNL
RVNL & Texmaco Join Hands to Modernise Indian Railways Infrastructure, Boost Atmanirbhar Manufacturing
Asheesh-PandayKalyan-Kumar
FSIB Recommends Asheesh Pandey for Union Bank, Kalyan Kumar for Central Bank of India Top Roles - Know More
Karnataka
Karnataka: Govt Transfers Top Police Officers Amid Rising Communal Tensions, Cites Local Sentiments - Home Minister
Glacier Preservation
India Reaffirms Commitment to Glacier Preservation at High-Level Conference in Dushanbe; Warns of Glacier Retreat as a Real-Time Crisis
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PM Modi
MP: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar; Inaugurates Indore Metro, Datia & Satna Airports; Emphasizes Women Empowerment
IAS Officer IPS Officer
IAS Vishal Gupta Appointed Private Secy to Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, IPS Dinesh Kumar P Cleared For Central Deputation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT