Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar who is accused of using forged Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) certificates to qualify for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination [Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar Versus State Of Nct Of Delhi And Anr.].A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma allowed Khedkar's appeal challenging Delhi High Court’s December 2024 decision to deny her the relief. The top court in January this year had granted her interim protection from arrest.Today, the Court made the interim protection from arrest absolute, and directed that Khedkar be released on bail in the event of arrest, upon furnishing cash security of ₹25,000 and two sureties.While doing so, the bench rejected the argument of Delhi Police that Khedkar had not cooperated with the investigation despite appearing before the authorities.The apex court said the High Court ought to have granted her relief in the facts and circumstances of the case."Having regard to the nature of offences alleged and bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case this is a fit case where the high court ought to have granted relief of anticipatory bail to the appellant.", it noted in its order..The Court further directed that she must cooperate with the ongoing investigation and not misuse her liberty. It also directed her not to tamper with the evidence or influence any witnesses. The prosecution was granted a liberty to seek cancellation of bail if any condition is violated..According to the FIR registered by Delhi Police on the complaint of UPSC, Khedkar had allegedly availed the benefits of OBC and PwBD by submitting forged documents to the UPSC. It is also alleged that she made material alterations to her personal details, including her name, signature, photograph and parental information to bypass examination rules and conceal her identity..Following an inquiry, UPSC barred her from future examinations and issued a show cause notice regarding cancellation of her selection. She had joined the Pune Collectorate as part of her probationary training in June 2024.The High Court had found prima facie evidence to conclude that Khedkar was not eligible for the benefits she had availed and observed that her actions pointed to a wider attempt to subvert the system. However, the top court opined that custodial interrogation was not essential for the investigation and granted her the pre-arrest bail..Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared for Khedkar.