Mumbai: In a significant development in the UPSC cheating case, the Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Services (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing additional attempts in the UPSC examination by manipulating her identity.
The High Court emphasized that Khedkar’s actions were part of a broader conspiracy to subvert the UPSC examination system. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, presiding over the bench, noted that Khedkar’s conduct was not only an infringement on the UPSC, a constitutional body, but also a violation of public trust, affecting society at large.
In his ruling, Justice Singh stated, “This court is prima facie satisfied that a strong case has been made out and the said conduct is a part of the large conspiracy which can only be revealed if the investigating agency is given the option to investigate. The steps taken by the petitioner (Khedkar) were part of a large conspiracy to manipulate the system, and investigation will be affected if she is granted anticipatory bail.”
The court also highlighted the serious implications of such fraudulent actions, noting that they could undermine the integrity of the examination system and the recruitment process. Khedkar’s alleged manipulation was described as a calculated effort to bypass the permissible limits set by the UPSC.
The decision to deny anticipatory bail came after a detailed review of the case, with the court ruling that granting bail at this stage could hinder the ongoing investigation aimed at uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy. The case has sparked widespread concern over the abuse of the examination system, with authorities now intensifying their efforts to investigate the matter further.
Khedkar’s legal team had argued for bail, but the High Court’s decision underscores the gravity of the charges against her. The case continues to unfold, with further developments expected in the coming weeks.
