In a dramatic turn of events, former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar has contested the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) authority to disqualify her from future exams, asserting that only the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) can take such action. This claim comes amidst accusations that Khedkar engaged in fraudulent activities to obtain Other Backward Class (OBC) and disability quota benefits.
Last month, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s candidature and barred her from participating in future examinations. The Commission alleged that she had misrepresented information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 to secure reservation benefits unlawfully.
In her response filed before the Delhi High Court, Puja Khedkar argued that once an individual is selected and appointed as a Probationary Officer, the UPSC no longer holds the authority to disqualify them. She contended that any action against her should be taken by the DoPT, not the UPSC.
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Puja Khedkar also addressed allegations made by the UPSC regarding her examination attempts. The Commission claimed she had taken the highly competitive test more than the permitted six times for general category candidates by altering her name and that of her parents to evade detection.
However, Khedkar vehemently denied these accusations, asserting that her name and surname had remained unchanged from 2012 to 2022. She also maintained that no incorrect information was provided to the UPSC, as her identity was verified through biometric data, and her documents, including educational certificates and Aadhaar card, were found to be accurate.
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The UPSC responded to these claims by opposing Khedkar’s anticipatory bail petition, describing her actions as a significant “fraud” against both the Commission and the public. In its reply submitted to the court on August 21, the UPSC emphasized that Khedkar’s custodial interrogation was crucial to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud, which it claims could not have been executed without external assistance.
The Commission argued that her actions not only breached the integrity of a constitutional body but also deprived deserving candidates of opportunities due to her alleged illegal methods.
The police have supported the UPSC’s position, arguing that granting Khedkar pre-arrest bail would obstruct their investigation into the broader implications of the case on public trust and the integrity of the civil services examination. The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear Khedkar’s petition today.
