Puja Khedkar Case: Crime Branch Exposes Fake Disability Certificate Scam

New Delhi: In a significant development in the Pooja Khedkar case, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has revealed that the disability certificates submitted by Khedkar during the Civil Services Examinations in 2022 and 2023 were fraudulent, according to Zee News TV. This information was disclosed in a status report filed by the Crime Branch in the Delhi High Court.

According to the report, Pooja Khedkar not only used fake certificates but also altered her name on these documents. Further investigation revealed that the claim of these certificates being issued from Maharashtra was entirely fabricated.

Puja Khedkar, facing allegations of cheating and improperly securing OBC and disability quota benefits, through her rejoinder in the Delhi High Court informed that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) lacks the authority to disqualify her. Khedkar argued that the UPSC, which administers the civil services examination, does not have the jurisdiction to disqualify candidates in such matters.

Earlier, the same bench of the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Police and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding the anticipatory bail plea of suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The court had also instructed the investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter is under consideration, noting that immediate arrest is not deemed necessary.

The Delhi High Court earlier observed that the trial court's order denying bail for Puja Khedkar lacks substantial discussion, with only a brief mention of the Public Prosecutor's claim about the involvement of others. The High Court has instructed the police not to arrest Khedkar until Friday, pending further proceedings.
UPSC had argued that Puja Khedkar is a "mastermind" and that her actions would not have been possible without the assistance of others. This argument supports their position that custodial interrogation is necessary.

Puja Khedkar's plea in Delhi High Court follows the dismissal of her plea by Delhi's Patiala House Court last week, which found the allegations against her--related to falsifying identity for extra attempts in the civil services examination--to be serious and in need of thorough investigation.