Not a drug lord or terrorist: SC grants anticipatory bail to Dr Puja Khedkar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and fraudulently availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the UPSC civil services examination.

A Bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed Ms. Khedkar to cooperate in the probe.

“What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. You should have a system or a software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere,” the Bench observed orally, reports PTI.

Also Read:Willing to get medically examined at AIIMS Delhi, Puja Khedkar informs High Court

“Bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the Delhi High Court ought to have granted bail to the petitioner,” the Bench noted.

The counsel for the Delhi Police vehemently opposed grant of anticipatory bail to Ms. Khedkar, saying she was not cooperating in the probe and allegations against her were serious.

Ms. Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the 2022 UPSC civil services examination for availing reservation benefits. She has refuted all the allegations against her.

The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Ms. Khedkar, including lodging of a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity. Delhi Police also filed an FIR against her for various offences.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that controversial former probationary IAS officer Dr Puja Khedkar, who was booked by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for cheating and forgery of documents, has shown her willingness before the Delhi High Court to get herself medically examined at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. Appearing before the court on Thursday, she said, "I am willing to get myself medically examined. First, they say I changed my name. Now they say disability is questionable. I am willing to go to AIIMS."

Also Read:Delhi Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Puja Khedkar in Alleged UPSC Fraud Case