Supreme Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Ex IAS Probationer Puja Khedkar in UPSC Cheating Case

Puja Khedkar UPSC Cheating Case: he Supreme Court of India, on Wednesday, granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationer Puja Khedkar, who faces allegations of cheating and fraudulently availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits to secure her position in the 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. The decision, delivered by a bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma, has sparked widespread debate, with the court emphasizing that Khedkar’s actions, while serious, do not equate to heinous crimes.

“Has she committed murder?”

The court directed Khedkar to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation by the Delhi Police, who had vehemently opposed the bail, citing her alleged non-cooperation and the gravity of the accusations. “What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender,” the bench remarked, adding, “She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere.” The court further noted that the Delhi High Court, which had previously rejected her anticipatory bail plea on December 23, 2024, should have granted her relief given the circumstances.

Background of the Case

Puja Khedkar has been at the center of a high-profile controversy since allegations surfaced that she misrepresented information in her UPSC application to avail reservation benefits under the OBC and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories. The UPSC accused her of faking her identity by altering her name, her parents’ names, and other personal details to secure additional attempts at the civil services exam beyond the permissible limit. An FIR was lodged against her in July 2024 by the Delhi Police, charging her with forgery, cheating, violations of the IT Act, and the Disability Act.

The Delhi High Court, in its December 2024 ruling, described Khedkar’s actions as part of a larger conspiracy to manipulate the system, stating that her conduct was driven by a motive to dupe the UPSC and reap benefits meant for disadvantaged groups. The court highlighted her family’s ownership of luxury vehicles and significant property holdings, which contradicted her claims of eligibility for OBC non-creamy layer benefits. The UPSC also canceled Khedkar’s candidature on July 31, 2024, and permanently debarred her from future examinations, while the central government discharged her from the IAS under Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954.

Supreme Court’s Rationale and Conditions

In granting anticipatory bail, the Supreme Court emphasized that Khedkar’s case did not warrant custodial interrogation at this stage, as the evidence was primarily documentary. The bench urged the investigative authorities to complete their probe efficiently, suggesting improvements in the UPSC’s verification systems to prevent such incidents in the future. “You should have a system or a software,” the court observed, pointing to systemic gaps that allowed Khedkar’s alleged fraud to go undetected initially.

Khedkar’s counsel, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, argued that the Delhi High Court’s strong observations against her could prejudice her trial, reinforcing the need for bail. The court agreed, noting that Khedkar had already faced significant consequences, including the loss of her IAS position and future job prospects. The bench also referenced prior interim protections granted to Khedkar since August 12, 2024, which were extended multiple times, with the latest extension on April 21, 2025, directing her to appear for questioning on May 2, 2025. During this session, she was interrogated for eight hours by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, with no coercive actions taken.

The UPSC and Delhi Police strongly opposed Khedkar’s bail plea, arguing that her custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud, which they claimed could not have been executed without the involvement of others. The UPSC described her actions as an “unprecedented fraud” that undermined public trust in the civil services examination process, a sentiment echoed in posts on X. The Delhi Police further alleged that Khedkar’s family, with its considerable influence and assets, may have facilitated the production of fraudulent certificates. They expressed concerns that granting bail could allow her to obstruct the investigation or tamper with evidence.

With anticipatory bail now granted, Khedkar is shielded from arrest but must comply with the investigation. The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the balance between ensuring accountability and avoiding undue harshness in cases of non-violent fraud. As the probe continues, authorities are tasked with investigating potential accomplices and systemic vulnerabilities within the UPSC’s examination process. The case remains a focal point for discussions on integrity in India’s prestigious civil services and the mechanisms to safeguard it.