Delhi : In a significant development in the ongoing investigation against former IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar, the Delhi High Court has rejected her pre-arrest bail application. Khedkar, who had been accused of fraudulently and wrongfully availing benefits from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disabled quotas, is now facing the likelihood of arrest. The bench, led by Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, dismissed Khedkar’s application, stating that she had caused significant harm to the nation’s image by allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to misuse the system.
The Delhi High Court’s ruling also included the withdrawal of interim protection from arrest, which had been granted to Khedkar in August of this year. The court emphasized the seriousness of the case and the need for further investigation into what appears to be a well-organized plot to manipulate the civil services examination process.
In July 2023, Khedkar’s selection as a trainee in the 2023 batch of the Central Public Service Commission (CPSC) was canceled after an in-depth investigation by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The investigation found that Khedkar had exploited the OBC and disabled quotas to secure her place in the prestigious Civil Services Examination. She was permanently barred from future UPSC exams and selection commissions.
Further scrutiny revealed that Khedkar had engaged in serious misconduct by altering personal details such as her name, her parents’ names, and their photographs, signatures, email addresses, mobile numbers, and addresses. UPSC’s statement made it clear that Khedkar had actively misrepresented her identity and misused quota provisions.
The High Court’s ruling highlighted the strong possibility that Khedkar’s family may have been complicit in this elaborate fraud, further involving forged documents in the process. The court noted that Khedkar’s manipulative actions could indicate a larger conspiracy designed to deceive the UPSC.
In addition to the internal investigation, Delhi Police has registered a criminal case against Khedkar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. Despite the mounting allegations, Khedkar has denied all accusations, maintaining her innocence.
The Delhi High Court’s rejection of her pre-arrest bail application marks a crucial point in the legal proceedings, with authorities now focusing on a thorough investigation to expose the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
