The Delhi High Court today declined anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service Probationer Puja Khedkar who had allegedly submitted forged certificates presenting her as a person with benchmark disability and a member of the Other Backward Classes category to clear the civil services exam.

The Court was hearing her Bail Application in a criminal case lodged against her for alleged cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits, allegations that Khedkar has denied. The Court had reserved its Judgment on the application on November 28. The High Court had granted her interim protection from arrest on August 12, which was extended periodically.

A Single-Judge Bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh pronounced the order saying, "The conduct of the petitioner has been purely driven with a motive to dupe the complainant UPSC and all the documents allegedly forged by her were done in order to reap benefits of schemes meant for the disadvantageous groups of the society. The investigation in the present case, as per the material available on the record, prima facie reveals that the petitioner is not a fit candidate to avail the benefit meant for the disadvantageous groups and she has been availing the same by forging the documents prepared with unknown individuals in the government or outside. Apart from owning luxury cars and various properties, the family of the petitioner has held high positions.. therefore there is a high possibility that the family members have colluded with unknown powerful persons in order to get the requisite certificates produced by the petitioner".

The Court further observed, "Interrogation of the person accused of an offence of such nature is required in order to unearth the fraud committed with the help of large number of people.... This court is of the opinion that the steps taken by the petitioner is part of a large conspiracy to manipulate the system and investigation in this regard would be impacted if she is granted anticipatory bail".

The Court observed that the UPSC examination is considered as one of the most prestigious examinations in the world and that a large number of people appear in the same and work hard for the same. The Court observed that the tactics adopted by the petitioner demoralise other candidates and raise questions about the authenticity of the examination.

The Court observed that fraud has been committed not just against a constitutional body, but against the society at large.

"This Court is prima facie satisfied that a strong case is made out against the petitioner and she is part of a large conspiracy which can only be revealed if the investigating agency is given the due opportunity to apprehend the petitioner and investigate the case without there being any chance to hamper the witnesses and evidence", the Court said while dismissing the bail application and vacating the interim protection granted to the petitioner.

In July, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on July 31 had cancelled Khedkar's candidature and debarred her from appearing in future examinations held by the commission concluding that she had availed more number of attempts than permitted under Civil Services Examination Rules.

On December 3 this year the Bombay High Court has quashed the Order by the Pune Commissioner of Police canceling the arms license of Manorama Khedkar, Puja Khedkar's mother, and remitted the matter for fresh consideration.

Cause Title: Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar v The State Of NCT Of Delhi & Anr. [BAIL APPLN. 2828/2024 And CRL.M.A-28311/2024]

Justice Chandra Dhari SinghDelhi High Court

Tushar Kohli