Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar has told the Delhi High Court that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which administers the civil services exam, lacks the authority to disqualify her. Puja Khedkar has been accused of cheating and fraudulently obtaining OBC (Other Backward Class) and disability quota benefits.
Last month, Puja Khedkar’s nomination was canceled by the UPSC, and she was prevented from taking any more exams. In order to obtain reservation advantages, the Commission said that she had falsified information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022.
In a response filed with the court on the UPSC’s charges against her, Puja Khedkar, who is requesting anticipatory relief in the criminal case against her, stated that “Once selected and appointed as a Probationary Officer, UPSC does not have the power to disqualify the candidature.”
It is now only the Central Government’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) that has the authority to take legal action against her, she added.
Regarding UPSC’s “Changed Her Name” Charge, Puja Khedkar
Puja Khedkar allegedly attempted the extremely competitive qualifying exam more than the six times allotted for candidates in the general category, according to the UPSC. She accomplished this by changing both her and her parents’ names, which is how the Commission said it was unable to identify the infraction.
But Puja Khedkar denied these claims, claiming that neither her name nor surname changed between 2012 and 2022. She added that she had not provided the UPSC with any false information about herself.
“My identification was confirmed by UPSC using my biometric data. The Commission concluded that my materials were authentic and accurate. The court was informed that her educational credential, Aadhaar card, date of birth, and other personal details were verified and determined to be accurate.
“DoPT also completed all required verifications. My medical examination was performed by an AIIMS-constituted medical board in accordance with DoPT. In response, she stated, “The board determined that my disability was up to 47%, which is greater than the 40% disability required for the PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) category.
UPSC: Puja Khedkar’s “Fraud” Is Not Just Against Us But Also the Public
Puja Khedkar filed a petition for anticipatory bail in the Delhi High Court earlier this month. The UPSC opposed it, claiming Puja had committed “fraud” against the commission and the public.
The UPSC said in its August 21 court reply that Puja Khedkar’s detention interrogation was required to determine the extent of the “fraud,” which was impossible to accomplish without the assistance of other people. It stated that her request for pre-arrest bail should be denied.
“The gravity of the fraud committed is unprecedented in nature having been committed against not only a constitutional body — the complainant — whose traditions are untrammelled and unparalleled but also against the public at large, including the citizens of this country who have utmost faith upon the credibility of the UPSC as well as persons who could not be appointed despite being duly eligible and qualified due to illegal means employed by the applicant to seek appointment,” said the UPSC.
Additionally, the Delhi Police have requested that the pre-arrest bail plea be dismissed, citing the fact that providing her with any kind of relief will impede their investigation into the “deep-rooted conspiracy” and that the case has broader ramifications for public confidence and the integrity of the civil services test.
Today, the Delhi High Court continued Puja Khedkar’s provisional protection against arrest and scheduled a follow-up hearing for September 5.