Khedkar accused of forging documents for OBC quota misuse
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court provided anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar, who faces accusations of document forgery and allegedly misusing the OBC non-creamy layer quota to qualify for the 2022 Civil Services entrance exam.
Granting relief to Khedkar, the Supreme Court noted that she is “neither a drug lord nor a terrorist,” while the Delhi Police vigorously opposed the anticipatory bail, arguing that she was not cooperating with the investigation.
‘Not an NDPS offender’
“She is not a NDPS offender. You should have a system or a software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere,” the Supreme Court observed, while pointing out that the Delhi High Court “ought to have granted bail to the petitioner”.
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A criminal case has been filed against Khedkar for allegedly distorting and misrepresenting his family’s income status and other information during the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.
Later, the UPSC revoked her selection upon discovering that she had fabricated documents. The commission also prohibited Khedkar from taking part in the esteemed exam for life. A month later, the Centre discharged her from all responsibilities.
Khedkar became the center of controversy in June last year when Pune Collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, outlining the trainee officer’s request for a car, staff, and office. After the dispute, Khedkar was reassigned to Washim.
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Shortly thereafter, Khedkar’s selection procedure faced investigation due to claims that she had falsified documents to obtain relaxations in the OBC and disabled persons categories.
It was later revealed that Khedkar’s father, a former Maharashtra government official, possessed assets valued at Rs 40 crore, disqualifying her from the OBC non-creamy layer.
