Former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar has approached the Delhi High Court, requesting that seven of her 12 attempts at the Civil Services entrance exam be disregarded.
Khedkar argues that these attempts should not be counted, as she claims to have a physical disability — a 47 percent disability resulting from an “old ACL tear with left knee instability,” as diagnosed by a Maharashtra hospital.
Puja Khedkar is seeking to have her previous attempts reclassified under the ‘divyang’ (persons with disabilities) category, which would leave her with five attempts, well within the limits for candidates with disabilities.
Khedkar’s case has drawn significant attention due to allegations that she manipulated her identity and disability status to secure additional attempts at the highly competitive exam.
She has also been accused of forging an OBC certificate and changing her name and surname to bypass the attempt limits imposed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). These actions have led to criminal charges against her, including forgery and cheating.
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In June, Puja Khedkar was exposed for securing perks beyond her pay grade, such as using a siren and a “Government of Maharashtra” sticker on her private vehicle.
These revelations prompted the Delhi High Court to hear her anticipatory bail plea after a city court rejected it earlier. The police have argued against granting her bail, stating that it could hinder their investigation into what they describe as a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” The UPSC has also labeled Khedkar’s actions as fraudulent, further complicating her legal standing.
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Puja Khedkar, however, has maintained her innocence, arguing that the UPSC lacks the authority to revoke her selection since she had already been appointed as a probationary officer. She has also denied the claim that she changed her name and surname, insisting that only her middle name was altered, and that the UPSC’s biometric verification confirmed her identity as legitimate.
As the case unfolds, the Delhi High Court’s decision will be pivotal in determining whether Khedkar’s attempts to manipulate the system will be legally recognized or dismissed, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
