The Supreme Court has ruled against former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who is embroiled in allegations of cheating by availing benefits under both the OBC and disability quotas in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. The top court clarified that Khedkar cannot take separate attempts to clear the exam as an “able candidate” and a “disabled candidate.”
Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma have scheduled further hearings for April 15, following a request by Khedkar’s counsel for additional time to respond to an affidavit submitted by the Delhi government. Meanwhile, the court extended Khedkar’s protection from arrest, which was initially granted on January 15, until the next hearing date.
The Delhi government, represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, argued the need for custodial interrogation to identify the middlemen allegedly involved in creating fake disability certificates for UPSC aspirants. Raju emphasized the necessity of taking Khedkar into custody to ensure the disclosure of middlemen’s identities, describing the situation as a “scam.”
Advocate Bina Madhavan, representing Khedkar, countered that her client is willing to cooperate with the investigation. She disputed the government’s claim by stating that the disability certificate was verified by a medical board at AIIMS, which confirmed Khedkar’s disability, and insisted there was no fraud involved.
The bench, however, maintained a firm stance, stating, “It cannot be the case that you can avail separate attempts as an able candidate and as a disabled candidate.” Madhavan proposed to submit additional evidence to support Khedkar’s claims.
Raju further alleged that not only was Khedkar’s disability certificate fraudulent, but her application forms also contained incorrect and misleading details. He urged the court for an early hearing to resolve the matter swiftly.
This legal battle stems from allegations that Khedkar misrepresented her qualifications in her application for the 2022 UPSC civil services examination to illegally avail reservation benefits. The case has been marked by strong observations from the Delhi High Court, which previously dismissed Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, citing a strong prima facie case against her and the need to investigate a “larger conspiracy” that could manipulate the system.
The Delhi High Court had noted the prestigious nature of the UPSC examination and labeled the case as a classic instance of fraud against a constitutional body and society. The anticipatory bail plea was opposed by both the Delhi Police and the UPSC, with the latter emphasizing the necessity of custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud.
