Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail For IAS Trainee Pooja Khedkar, Orders Expanded Investigation Into Alleged UPSC Misconduct
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi 1st August,2024
In a decisive move, the Delhi court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Pooja Khedkar, an IAS trainee officer whose candidature was recently annulled by the UPSC amid serious allegations of cheating and forgery. The court’s ruling comes as a blow to Khedkar, who had sought bail to avoid arrest while the investigation continues.
Patiala House Court Judge Devendra Kumar Jangala, who presided over the case, has directed the Delhi Police to expand the scope of their investigation. The court’s order mandates that the police probe not only Khedkar’s involvement but also extend the investigation to identify other candidates who may have exploited the UPSC system. Specifically, the police are instructed to look into candidates who have benefitted from the OBC quota beyond the permissible age limit and those who have fraudulently availed benefits not rightfully theirs.
Judge Jangala emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into whether any UPSC insiders might have facilitated Khedkar’s alleged misconduct. This directive follows a recent UPSC audit that found Khedkar in violation of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 rules, resulting in her disqualification from the examination and a permanent ban on future attempts.
The UPSC has confirmed that Khedkar’s provisional candidature was canceled due to her breach of examination rules. Additionally, Khedkar’s previous attempts at the examination were flagged due to discrepancies in her and her parents’ names, which have raised concerns about the integrity of her application process. The UPSC is currently revising its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent similar cases of misconduct in the future.
Khedkar, 34, has faced intense media scrutiny following allegations that she demanded a separate office and an official car, and improperly used a government vehicle for personal purposes. Initially stationed in Pune, she was transferred to Washim by the Pune District Collector amid the controversy. Despite her transfer, her troubles have persisted, leading the government to halt her district training program and recall her to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie for further action.
Khedkar, who is under investigation for the authenticity of her disability certificates, has claimed that she is the victim of misinformation and fake news. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of any wrongdoing and ensuring accountability within the UPSC and related institutions.
