Fake Identity Case: HC Extends Interim Protection of Ex-IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Till September 5

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday, August 29, extended the stay on the arrest of dismissed trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar till September 5 in connection with in fake identity case.

For the unversed, the former IAS trainee officer was disqualified from the Civil Service for alleged misconduct and submitting forged documents. 

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has sought more time to file a fresh status report in the case, and the court has adjourned the matter until September 5.

The new status report will be submitted by the standing counsel of Delhi Police.

Khedkar Claims UPSC Doesn't Have Power To Disqualify Her 

In a response filed before the Delhi HC regarding the UPSC's charges against her, Khedkar on Wednesday argued that the UPSC does not have the authority to disqualify her candidature once she is selected and appointed as a probationary officer. She argued that "the DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) alone can take action under the All India Services Act, 1954, and the Probationer Rules as per Rule 19 of the CSE 2022 Rules".

In the last hearing on August 21, the Delhi Police had opposed Puja's anticipatory bail plea, stating there were serious allegations of cheating and fraud against her. The case pertains to alleged misuse of reserved categories in civil services.

Observing that her immediate custody was not necessary,  the Delhi High Court had granted protection from arrest to Khedkar on August 12.

The 34-year-old, who was appointed as a probationary IAS officer in the Maharashtra cadre, had allegedly attempted to take the examination beyond the permissible limit by faking her identity, including changing her name, her parents' names, her photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address. 

After reports of alleged misconduct by her surfaced, authorities launched a probe against her in which she was found guilty of misusing her powers and acting in contravention of the provisions of the Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2022 rules. Soon after, the UPSC cancelled her provisional candidature and barred her from appearing in any future examinations or selections.

The ex-IAS officer has also been accused of misusing disability and Other Backward Classes or OBC (non-creamy layer) quotas, among others. The UPSC has also filed a criminal case against her.