In a dramatic turn in the ongoing controversy surrounding former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted her anticipatory bail, questioning the gravity of the accusations and rebuking Delhi Police for opposing the relief. Khedkar is accused of cheating and wrongfully availing benefits under the OBC and disability quotas during the 2022 UPSC civil services examination.
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed Khedkar to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. In strong oral remarks, the bench asked, “What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed murder. She is not an NDPS offender.” The judges noted that Khedkar’s future in the civil services is already finished, adding, “She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere.”
The court also pulled up the Delhi High Court for denying her bail earlier, stating, “Bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the Delhi High Court ought to have granted bail to the petitioner.”
Counsel for the Delhi Police argued strenuously against granting bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and Khedkar’s alleged non-cooperation in the investigation. However, the Supreme Court remained unconvinced by the police’s aggressive stance.
Khedkar stands accused of misrepresenting details in her UPSC application to secure reservation benefits meant for OBC and disabled candidates. She has denied all allegations, claiming she followed due process.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has taken disciplinary action against her, including filing a criminal case for allegedly faking her identity and taking multiple attempts at the examination under false pretenses. The Delhi Police has also lodged an FIR citing various offences.
The apex court’s strong words and the decision to grant bail have now raised larger questions about the proportionality of legal actions in reservation fraud cases, especially when the accused is already barred from future service.
