Pooja Khedkar has been accused of providing false information in her application for UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 to avail reservation benefits.
In a major blow to former IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar, the Delhi High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail in the criminal case filed against her. Khedkar has been accused of giving false information in his application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 to avail the benefit of reservation. He is accused of cheating and wrongly availing benefits of OBC and disability quota in civil services examination.
“The anticipatory bail application is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated,” Justice Chandradhari Singh said while ruling on the application. Justice Singh said that a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and an investigation was required to unearth the conspiracy. This is a classic case of fraud perpetrated on constitutional bodies and society, the judge said.
Delhi Police’s counsel and the complainant, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), opposed the pre-arrest bail plea. UPSC was represented by Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik and Advocate Vardhaman Kaushik. Khedkar has denied all the allegations leveled against him.
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The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Khedkar, including registering a criminal case in July, for attempting to appear in the civil services examination by forging his identity. The Delhi Police registered an FIR under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
(With information from PTI)