Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Ex-IAS Trainee in UPSC Fraud Case

Puja Khedkar, accused of forging documents to secure UPSC eligibility, has been shielded from arrest until February 14 pending further investigation.

The Supreme Court has stayed the arrest of former IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar, accused of falsifying documents to claim OBC and disability quota benefits in the UPSC exams.
The court directed that no coercive action be taken against Khedkar until the next hearing on February 14, while seeking responses from the Delhi Police and UPSC on her anticipatory bail plea.
Khedkar's candidature was canceled by UPSC in July 2024, with allegations that she exceeded the permissible number of attempts by using fraudulent claims and frequent name changes.
The Delhi High Court previously denied Khedkar anticipatory bail, citing a strong prima facie case and the need to investigate a potential larger conspiracy involving influential individuals.
Khedkar, who denies the allegations, argues that custodial interrogation is unnecessary and claims to have cooperated fully with the investigation.