'Didn't Fabricate Documents, UPSC Can't Disqualify Me': Puja Khedkar To Delhi HC

Suspended IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar on Wednesday denied charges of forgery and challenged her disqualification, saying the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) can not disqualify her. Opposing the submissions of UPSC, she filed a rejoinder before the Delhi High Court.

In her response before the High Court, Khedkar claimed that she did not fabricate her documents.

Khedkar’s appeal came a day before her interim protection from arrest is set to end. Last week, the Delhi High Court extended the interim protection from arrest for the ex-trainee IAS officer. The extension remains in effect till August 29.

Puja Khedkar is accused of falsifying and misrepresenting facts in her application to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). On July 18, a showcause notice was issued to Khedkar for fraudulently availing attempts beyond the permissible limit in the examination rules by “faking her identity”.

Following this, on July 31, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s provisional candidature and barred her from appearing in any future examinations or selections. Additionally, the commission initiated a criminal case against Khedkar for cheating, fraudulence and forgery.

UPSC Cancelled Puja’s Candidature

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on July 31 cancelled the candidature of Puja Khedkar and debarred her permanently from all the future examinations and selections of the Commission.

The UPSC said she was found “guilty of acting in contravention of the provisions of the Civil Services Examination-2022 Rules”.

Allegations Against Puja Khedkar

Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, grabbed headlines after she was accused of misusing her powers as a civil servant after she allegedly demanded a separate office, a car and a house for herself before joining as Assistant Collector in Pune.

Amid allegations that she misrepresented herself under the physical disabilities category, she was transferred to Washim from Pune. She was also accused of availing the OBC and non-creamy layer quota in the UPSC.