The Delhi Patiala House Court postponed the hearing on Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail application on Tuesday. The postponement came after the prosecution informed the court about the appointment of a new special public prosecutor for the case. The matter will now be heard on July 31.
The Delhi Police had registered an FIR against Khedkar based on a complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The commission initiated criminal prosecution against Khedkar, alleging she falsified her identity to exceed the permissible number of attempts in the Civil Services Examination. Khedkar, a provisional candidate for the Civil Services Examination 2022, secured an all-India rank of 821 in the exams.
The UPSC has taken strong action against Khedkar, issuing a show cause notice for the cancellation of her candidature and her debarment from future exams. The commission has emphasized its commitment to upholding constitutional obligations and maintaining the highest standards of due diligence in all its processes and examinations.
Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer, has been accused of misusing her authority. She was relieved from the Maharashtra District Training Programme on July 16 and recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, where her training has been suspended.
The court noted that the complainant had filed an application under Section 338 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, seeking permission to submit objections and assist the Additional Public Prosecutor. The application was heard on July 27 before Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala.
