"Hasn't Committed Murder": Top Court Relief For Ex-IAS Officer Puja Khedkar
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has allowed anticipatory bail for Puja Khedkar, the ex-IAS trainee officer who made headlines last year over claims that she lied about physical disabilities, changed her surname and forged a backward class certificate to clear the competitive civil services exam.
This means that should Ms Khedkar be arrested as part of the Delhi Police’s investigation, she must then be released on bail, on condition of providing a cash surety of Rs 35,000.
In the meantime, she has been warned not to interfere with the investigation in any way, including trying to influence witnesses or tamper with material on record.
In addition, tough questions were also asked of a November 2024 judicial order – from the Delhi High Court – that had denied her bail; the High Court had ruled then that Puja Khedkar’s actions, prima facie, were meant to deceive and that her steps were part of ‘a larger conspiracy’.
However, in its ruling Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court rejected the Delhi High Court’s conclusion that Ms Khedkar had not cooperated with the investigating authorities.
“What is the meaning of ‘not cooperating’?” Justice BV Nagarathana asked, “She has not committed a murder… this is not a NDPS (the anti-narcotics law) offence. She will cooperate.”
This is the second time the Supreme Court has asked questions of the Delhi High Court’s order refusing relief for Ms Khedkar; the first was in January, when it said, “Having regard to nature of offences… bearing in mind circumstances… this is a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail.”
Until now the Supreme Court had given Ms Khedkar interim protection from arrest; passed in January, the order was extended in the last hearing in this matter, which was on March 18.
In that hearing Justices Nagarathna and SC Sharma had pointed out to Delhi Police, which is investigating this case, that Ms Khedkar had filed an affidavit confirming she would cooperate.
What Was Puja Khedkar Accused Of?
Ms Khedkar is accused of submitting fake certificates to claim privileges reserved for candidates from Other Backward Classes and those with physical disabilities.
These privileges included extra attempts to clear the IAS exams.
