Puja Khedkar Moves Supreme Court Seeking Pre-Arrest Bail in UPSC Cheating Case

UPSC Cheating Case: Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of fraudulently availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, has moved the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail. This comes after the Delhi High Court, on December 23, 2024, refused to grant her pre-arrest bail, citing a strong prima facie case against her.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to hear the plea on January 15, 2025.

The Delhi High Court, in its December order, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating that a detailed investigation was needed to uncover the “larger conspiracy” aimed at manipulating the system. It noted that granting anticipatory bail could hinder the investigation process.

“Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated,” the court ruled.

The high court had initially granted Khedkar interim protection from arrest on August 12, 2024, when it issued notice on her plea. This protection was extended multiple times before being vacated in December.

Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her UPSC application to claim reservation benefits under the OBC and disability quotas. The High Court described the case as a “classic instance of fraud” perpetrated on both a constitutional body and society at large, given the UPSC examination’s status as the nation’s most prestigious competitive test.

Denying all allegations, Khedkar has maintained her innocence, asserting that her application complied with all required norms and procedures. She claims the accusations are baseless and intended to malign her reputation.

The case has sparked widespread debate on the integrity of reservation policies and the measures needed to prevent misuse in competitive examinations.

The Supreme Court’s decision on her plea will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for both the investigation and the broader discourse on systemic reforms in competitive examinations.