Former IAS Officer Puja Khedkar asserts that the UPSC lacks authority to disqualify her
New Delhi: Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer accused of cheating and inappropriately obtaining OBC (other backward class) and disability quota benefits, has informed the Delhi High Court that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)—the body responsible for the civil services exam—does not have the authority to disqualify her.
Last month, the UPSC annulled Khedkar’s candidacy and barred her from future examinations, alleging that she had falsified information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 to obtain reservation benefits.
Puja Khedkar, who is requesting anticipatory bail in the criminal case against her, responded to the UPSC’s claims against her in court. She stated, “Once selected and appointed as a probationary officer, UPSC does not have the power to disqualify the candidature.”
Now, she claimed, the only body that could take legal action against her would be the Central Government’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Puja Khedkar Responds to UPSC’s Allegation of “Name Change”
The UPSC has alleged that Puja Khedkar attempted the highly competitive qualifying exam more than the six times allowed for general category candidates, claiming she circumvented this limit by altering her name and her parents’ names, which led to the Commission being unable to detect the violation.
Puja Khedkar, however, denied these allegations, asserting that her name and surname have remained unchanged from 2012 to 2022. She also stated that she provided accurate information to the UPSC.
“Biometric data was used by UPSC to confirm my identification. My documents were not deemed forged or inaccurate by the Commission. My date of birth, Aadhaar card, educational certificate, and other personal information were all determined to be 100% accurate,” she informed the court.
Furthermore, DoPT carried out the required verifications. In accordance with DoPT, my medical examination was performed by an AIIMS-constituted medical board. The board determined that my disability was up to 47%, which is higher than the 40% disability needed to qualify for the PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) category,” she responded.
Puja Khedkar’s “Fraud” Not Only Against Us But Public Too: UPSC
In its response filed on August 21, the UPSC argued that Puja Khedkar’s custodial interrogation was essential to uncovering the full extent of the “fraud,” which it claimed could not have been perpetrated without the assistance of others. Consequently, the Commission requested that her pre-arrest bail plea be denied.
The UPSC described the alleged fraud as “unprecedented,” emphasizing that it was committed not only against the Commission—a constitutional body with a longstanding reputation—but also against the public at large. The Commission noted that the fraud undermined public trust in the UPSC’s credibility and negatively affected individuals who were unable to secure appointments despite being eligible and qualified due to the illegal actions of the petitioner.
“The fraud in question is of an unparalleled severity, as it was committed not only against the complainant, a constitutional body with unique and untarnished traditions, but also against the broader public, comprising the citizens who fully rely on the credibility of the UPSC.” This also impacts people who were completely eligible and qualified but were unable to be appointed because the applicant used unlawful means to obtain employment, according to the UPSC.
Additionally, the Delhi Police have requested that the pre-arrest bail plea be dismissed, citing the fact that providing her with any kind of relief will impede their investigation into the “deep-rooted conspiracy” and that the case has broader ramifications for public confidence and the integrity of the civil services test.
Today, the Delhi High Court continued Puja Khedkar’s provisional protection against arrest and scheduled a follow-up hearing for September 5.
