Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, has strongly refuted allegations of cheating and fraud leveled against her by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Khedkar, who was stripped of her provisional candidature on July 31, claims that the UPSC has no authority to disqualify her after she was appointed as a probationer. This argument has been presented before the Delhi High Court, where Khedkar is challenging the UPSC’s decision.
The UPSC, however, maintains that Khedkar fraudulently availed attempts in the civil services examination by manipulating her identity. The Commission has accused her of exceeding the permissible attempts and wrongfully availing OBC and disability quota benefits. To further solidify their claim, the UPSC has filed a police case against Khedkar, arguing that custodial interrogation is necessary to unravel the extent of the alleged fraud and identify any potential accomplices.
Khedkar’s response to the UPSC’s accusations is equally firm. She contends that there has been no change in her name from 2012 to 2022, and this consistency is reflected in all her application forms. She further asserts that the UPSC verified her identity using biometric data and supporting documents. However, the UPSC has pointed out that Khedkar allegedly used two different names – Puja Diliprao Khedkar and Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar – to appear for the exam in 2021-22, after already exhausting her attempts under the name Puja Diliprao Khedkar.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the case on August 29, where both sides will present their arguments and evidence. The Delhi Police has also filed an FIR against Khedkar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and Right of Persons with Disability Act. This legal battle highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences for Khedkar’s future career in the civil services.
