Speculative reports about the controversial IAS Officer Puja Khedkar surfaced after the Patiala House Court in Delhi denied her anticipatory bail, stating that the serious allegations against her warrant a thorough investigation.
New Delhi: The controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging a disability claim during the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam selection, has reportedly fled to Dubai to evade arrest, according to News 18. If these reports are accurate, authorities plan to initiate an international manhunt to capture her.
The reports surfaced after Delhi’s Patiala House Court denied Khedkar’s request for anticipatory bail on Thursday. The court emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating they “require a thorough investigation.”
Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala highlighted the need for Khedkar’s custodial interrogation to uncover the full conspiracy and identify other individuals involved.
This development follows the court’s decision to reject Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea. She is accused of fraudulently passing the UPSC examination.
Judge Jangala directed the investigative agency to broaden its probe, particularly examining candidates recommended by the UPSC in recent years who may have surpassed the age limit under the OBC quota or who claimed disability benefits without eligibility. The Delhi Police were also tasked with investigating whether UPSC officials assisted Khedkar in her alleged fraud.
In her anticipatory bail plea, Khedkar professed her innocence, arguing that the FIR does not establish a prima facie offence against her. Advocate Bina Madhvan, representing Khedkar, stated that her client possesses a certificate confirming multiple disabilities with a permanent benchmark disability of 47%. Madhvan argued that Khedkar should be given a fair chance to defend herself against the allegations.
Special Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava, representing the Delhi Police, opposed the bail plea, noting that Khedkar initially cited mental illness for her bail request, but now references multiple disabilities. Srivastava argued that her changing claims justify the need for custodial interrogation to resolve inconsistencies and thoroughly investigate the case.
Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, argued that there is prima facie evidence of Khedkar committing an offence by providing false information regarding the number of her exam attempts. Kaushik asserted that Khedkar abused the legal process, not only before the UPSC but also in courts, and that securing public employment through deceit constitutes an offence against society as a whole.
