Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant
anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in the criminal case
lodged against her for alleged cheating and wrongly availing of OBC and
disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.
"Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim
protection from arrest is vacated," Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said while
ruling on the plea.
Justice Singh said a strong prima facie case was
made out against Khedkar and investigation was required to unearth the
conspiracy.
It was a classic case of fraud committed on a
constitutional body as well as society, the judge said.
Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in
her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get
reservation benefits.
The counsel for the Delhi Police as well as the
complainant, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), opposed the plea for
pre-arrest bail.
The UPSC was represented by senior advocate Naresh
Kaushik and lawyer Vardhman Kaushik.
Khedkar has denied all allegations against her.
The UPSC initiated a series of actions against
Khedkar in July, including lodging a criminal case, for availing attempts in
the civil services exam by faking her identity.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR under provisions
of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act and Right of Persons with
Disabilities Act.