Delhi Police Accuse Puja Khedkar of Using Forged Certificates for UPSC Exam; Court Hearing Tomorrow

New Delhi: The Delhi Police have informed the Delhi High Court that former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar submitted two disability certificates for the Civil Services Examinations in 2022 and 2023, one of which is suspected to be “forged” and “fabricated.”

Khedkar is accused of fraudulently obtaining benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quotas.

In their status report, the police revealed that the “Issuing Medical Authority, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra” confirmed that the certificate, indicating locomotor disability, hearing impairment and low vision, was not issued according to official records. This raised the likelihood of the certificate being counterfeit.

Khedkar, who has denied the allegations, is seeking anticipatory bail, but both the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Delhi Police have urged the court to dismiss her plea.

The UPSC had cancelled her candidature on July 31 and barred her from future exams, stating that she committed fraud against the commission and the public.

The police argued that granting bail would obstruct their investigation into what they described as a “deep-rooted conspiracy” with serious implications for public trust and the integrity of the civil services examination. They have registered an FIR against Khedkar under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on September 5, with interim protection from arrest for Khedkar extended until that date. A sessions court had previously denied her anticipatory bail on August 1, citing the need for a thorough investigation into the serious allegations against her.