Mon Dec 23 11:19:57 UTC 2024: ## Delhi High Court Rejects Bail for Former IAS Trainee Accused of Fraud

**NEW DELHI** – The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee officer facing charges of forgery and cheating. The court found her actions to be a “classic example of fraud” committed against the authorities and the nation. Khedkar, who previously made headlines for allegedly falsifying information about her disabilities and altering her name to gain admission into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was deemed unfit for appointment by the court.

The court’s decision follows a city court’s rejection of Khedkar’s bail plea in August. The court noted that Khedkar’s actions were part of a larger conspiracy, potentially involving family members and unknown powerful individuals, warranting a broader investigation. The court indicated a possibility of collusion with government officials and departments.

Khedkar’s claims of physical disability and a minor name change were dismissed by the court. Both the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opposed her bail application, arguing that her custody was necessary to investigate the extent of the alleged conspiracy. The UPSC emphasized the fraudulent nature of Khedkar’s actions, stating that the fraud was not only against the commission but the public at large.

The UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s selection in July and the central government dismissed her from the IAS in September. Her troubles began in June when discrepancies regarding her claims for special privileges and entitlements during her probationary period were flagged by officials. Further investigations revealed that she falsely claimed benefits meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates and individuals with disabilities, including the falsification of an OBC certificate and misleading information regarding her medical status. It was also discovered that her family owned significant assets, disqualifying her from claiming OBC status.

The high court’s denial of bail effectively cancels the temporary protection from arrest previously granted to Khedkar. The investigation is expected to widen to include potential accomplices.

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