“She’s Not a Terrorist or Drug Lord”: Supreme Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Ex-IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar in Forgery Case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging documents to become eligible for the 2022 civil services examination.

A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed Khedkar to fully cooperate with the Delhi Police in the ongoing investigation into the alleged cheating case.

During the hearing, the court questioned the gravity of the charges pressed against Khedkar. “She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. You should have a system or a software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere,” the bench remarked.

The Delhi Police, however, strongly opposed the anticipatory bail, arguing that Khedkar had not been cooperating with the investigation and stressing the seriousness of the allegations.

Despite the opposition, the Supreme Court noted that the facts and circumstances of the case warranted the granting of anticipatory bail. “This is a fit case where the Delhi High Court ought to have granted bail to the petitioner,” the bench said.

Last month, the apex court had instructed Khedkar to appear before Delhi Police for questioning on May 2, assuring that she would not be arrested but warning that “drastic” measures would be taken if she failed to cooperate.

Khedkar, who was undergoing training as an IAS officer, came under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that she had submitted forged documents to claim OBC and disability benefits in her UPSC application. She was later relieved from her training position.