The Supreme Court has allowed anticipatory bail for Puja Khedkar, the ex-IAS trainee officer who made headlines last year over claims that she lied about physical disabilities, changed her surname and forged a backward class certificate to clear the competitive civil services exam.
This means that should Khedkar be arrested as part of the Delhi Police’s investigation, she must then be released on bail, on condition of providing a cash surety of Rs 35,000.
In the meantime, she has been warned against influencing witnesses or tampering with the evidence on record.
In addition, the Supreme Court asked tough questions of a November 2024 Delhi High Court order that had denied her bail; the High Court had said Khedkar’s actions, prima facie, were meant to deceive.
“What is the meaning of ‘not cooperating’?” Justice BV Nagarathana asked, “She has not committed a murder… this is not a NDPS (the anti-narcotics law) offence. She will cooperate.”
Khedkar is accused of submitting fake certificates to claim privileges reserved for candidates from Other Backward Classes and those with physical disabilities.
