In a major development, the Delhi High Court Notice to Puja Khedkar in 2024 has garnered significant attention as the court seeks her response to allegations of perjury and fraud during the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. On September 19, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to Khedkar after the UPSC alleged that she had made false statements in connection with her anticipatory bail plea. The case involves serious accusations of cheating and misusing benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quotas.
Puja Khedkar’s Response to Allegations
The Delhi High Court Notice to Puja Khedkar in 2024 follows the UPSC’s claims that the former IAS trainee provided false information regarding her biometrics during the civil services examination’s personality test. Justice Subramaniam Prasad, presiding over the case, asked Khedkar to file a formal reply to the UPSC’s application, which accuses her of committing perjury.
“I will issue notice. File your reply,” stated Justice Prasad, giving Khedkar and her counsel time to respond before the next hearing scheduled for September 26.
Khedkar, who has denied all the allegations, stands accused of manipulating her UPSC application to gain advantages through false claims of belonging to the OBC category and misusing disability quota benefits. The UPSC’s accusations go beyond cheating, alleging that Khedkar’s conduct constitutes perjury, an offense under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita.
UPSC’s Allegations of Fraud and Perjury
The Delhi High Court Notice to Puja Khedkar in 2024 stems from serious claims made by the UPSC, which accused Khedkar of making false statements to mislead the court. According to the UPSC, Khedkar falsely claimed that her biometrics, including fingerprints and eye scans, were collected during the personality test phase of the examination.
“The Commission did not collect any biometric information during the personality test of the Civil Services Examination,” said the UPSC in its application, further arguing that Khedkar’s statements were made with the sole purpose of deceiving the court to obtain favorable orders in her anticipatory bail plea.
The UPSC’s lawyer, Vardhman Kaushik, emphasized the gravity of the case, calling Khedkar’s behavior “dangerously wrong” and stressing the need for a thorough inquiry. The commission also stated that Khedkar’s actions have undermined the integrity of the examination and affected public trust in the system.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The Delhi High Court Notice to Puja Khedkar in 2024 is part of a broader legal battle surrounding her application for anticipatory bail. Khedkar had previously been granted interim protection from arrest, but both the UPSC and the Delhi Police have since requested the dismissal of her bail plea. The Delhi Police, which has registered an FIR against Khedkar under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act, and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, has argued that her custodial interrogation is necessary to uncover the extent of the alleged fraud.
The Delhi Police claimed that any relief granted to Khedkar could hinder its investigation into what they describe as a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” They highlighted that the case holds broader implications for the credibility of the civil services examination and the public’s trust in the UPSC.
The UPSC has also reiterated that Khedkar’s alleged fraud goes beyond her individual actions, indicating that further investigation could reveal additional individuals involved in assisting her. The Commission stressed that her arrest is crucial for determining the full magnitude of the fraud.
Khedkar’s Defense and Legal Strategy
Despite the mounting pressure, Khedkar has denied all allegations, with her counsel dismissing the UPSC’s application as a “pressure tactic” aimed at undermining her defense. Her legal team maintains that the allegations of misrepresentation and cheating are baseless, and they are preparing a detailed response to present at the next court hearing.
Khedkar’s counsel is expected to argue that her conduct has been misinterpreted and that the UPSC’s claims are an overreach intended to prevent her from securing bail. The outcome of the hearing on September 26 will be pivotal in determining the direction of the case.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court Notice to Puja Khedkar in 2024 marks a critical point in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the former IAS trainee’s alleged fraud and perjury in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. With both the UPSC and Delhi Police pushing for her arrest and custodial interrogation, the case could have significant implications for the integrity of one of India’s most prestigious examinations.
As the case unfolds, all eyes are on the September 26 hearing, where Khedkar is expected to file her reply to the court. The investigation into her actions is likely to intensify, and the findings could influence the broader discourse on maintaining transparency and trust in India’s competitive exams.
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