The Delhi High Court was informed by the Delhi Police that an investigation into former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar has uncovered potential forgery in one of her disability certificates. The revelation came during a hearing regarding Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea, linked to allegations of her misusing reservation benefits for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disabled persons.
Khedkar, who faced charges of cheating by availing undue quota benefits, had submitted two disability certificates for the 2022 and 2023 civil services examinations. However, the “Issuing Medical Authority” in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, has flagged discrepancies. It reported that the certificate showing locomotor disability, hearing impairment, and low vision was not aligned with the “Civil Surgeon Office Records,” raising suspicions of the document being forged and fabricated.
This development comes as Khedkar’s legal troubles continue to mount. On July 31, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) took the drastic step of cancelling her candidature and barring her from future examinations, after allegations surfaced of her falsifying information to gain reservation benefits in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The Delhi Police and UPSC have both recommended the rejection of Khedkar’s plea for pre-arrest bail, arguing that her custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the extent of the alleged fraud. The police claim that granting her relief would obstruct their investigation into what they describe as a “deep-rooted conspiracy,” with broader implications for public trust and the integrity of the civil services examination process.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 5, where the court will also review the extension of Khedkar’s interim protection from arrest.
