Supreme Court Grants Bail to Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee who was accused of submitting forged certificates to secure a position in the civil services.

Questions Raised Over Delhi High Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court’s decision comes after it questioned a previous ruling by the Delhi High Court, which had denied Khedkar bail. The High Court had stated that Khedkar’s actions, which included allegedly forging a backward class certificate and claiming disability benefits, were meant to deceive. However, the Supreme Court expressed doubts about this claim, questioning the severity of the allegations and emphasizing that Khedkar had not committed a serious crime like murder.

‘She Hasn’t Committed Murder…’

Justice BV Nagarathana, during the hearing, directly addressed the issue, stating, “What is the meaning of ‘not cooperating’? She has not committed a murder… this is not a NDPS (the anti-narcotics law) offence. She will cooperate.”

Conditions of Bail

The Supreme Court imposed a cash surety of Rs 35,000 for Khedkar’s release on bail. The court also emphasized that Khedkar would fully cooperate with the investigation.

Background of the Case

Khedkar’s case came to light in June 2022 when Pune Collector Suhas Diwase flagged her unusual demands for privileges during her probationary period. Subsequent investigations revealed that Khedkar had allegedly used forged certificates to secure benefits reserved for OBC candidates and individuals with disabilities. These benefits included additional attempts to clear the IAS exams.

Previous Denials and Arguments

The UPSC had cancelled Khedkar’s selection and blacklisted her for life. The Delhi High Court had denied her anticipatory bail, stating that the charges against her constituted a fraud against the nation. Khedkar, however, maintained her innocence, arguing that she had not committed any major offenses and that her middle name change did not constitute a serious issue.

Ongoing Investigation

The Delhi Police continues to investigate the case, looking into the possibility of a larger conspiracy involving others who may have aided Khedkar in obtaining forged certificates.