‘Why is custody of ex-IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar required?’: Delhi HC to probe agencies

Even as the UPSC maintained that Khedkar has “played with the law which is extraordinary,” Justice Prasad orally remarked, “Your argument is very simple… all documents are in custody of UPSC then why do you need her custody? As far as the state is concerned, allegation is she has given false documents, wrong information, in which case trial will take place whether documents are false. Why do you need her custody?”

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra representing Khedkar argued, “UPSC is not the state. This is the problem in the matter, if UPSC is going to dictate the investigation, where are we going to go?”

The police submitted that there was a conspiracy in Khedkar attempting the civil services exam nine times as an OBC candidate – the maximum permissible limit for an OBC candidate – and then allegedly changing her name and declaring in 2022 that she only had three attempts. The police claimed that her custody was required to probe the conspiracy aspect.

Justice Prasad said, “For that, it will be father, mother, daughter and the daughter has given false certificates, your investigation and chargesheet will be she has given false documents, fudged medical reports. Question again is, what purpose will be served by her custody? Only reason for her custody is if she is to tamper with evidence or is a flight risk.”

Addressing the UPSC, the Court remarked, “It’s actually a mistake at your end that you permitted (her attempts) with the change of name.”

The police have submitted two status reports of their investigation, with the latest report indicating that one of the disability certificates Khedkar had furnished was forged. She had furnished the same for additional attempts as a PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) category candidate.