‘Fake certificates’ case: Delhi Police questions former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar for 8 hours
On April 21, the Supreme Court had directed Khedkar to appear before the Crime Branch for questioning on May 2 and ordered the police not to take any “coercive steps” against her.
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The court had also informed Khedkar that she could not claim separate attempts to clear the civil services examination both as an “able candidate” and a “disabled candidate.” (File photo)The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday questioned former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in connection with a case of alleged cheating by “faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts beyond the permissible limit” in the civil services examination.
According to officials, she appeared before a Crime Branch team at the Kamla Market office around 10 a.m. and remained there for around eight hours. “She was asked multiple questions related to the case. She was also requested to submit certain documents,” officials said.
On April 21, the Supreme Court had directed Khedkar to appear before the Crime Branch for questioning on May 2 and ordered the police not to take any “coercive steps” against her. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju had informed the court that her custodial interrogation was necessary to identify the individuals who assisted her in obtaining and preparing the fake disability certificates.
In March, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and S C Sharma had questioned the Delhi Police’s insistence on the custodial interrogation of Khedkar and directed the agency to complete the investigation “steadfastly.”
The court had also informed Khedkar that she could not claim separate attempts to clear the civil services examination both as an “able candidate” and a “disabled candidate.”
The Crime Branch had registered an FIR against Khedkar in July 2024 under charges of forgery, cheating, violations of the IT Act, and the Disability Act, based on a written complaint filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Talking to the media outside the Crime Branch office after the questioning, Khedkar said that she had never submitted any forged documents to qualify the UPSC examination.
“Today, I appeared (before the crime branch) as directed by the Supreme Court. I answered every question asked by the police officers. They did not inform me when they would call me again, but I am ready to cooperate with them,” Khedkar said.
“Many false and fabricated claims have been made against me in the media. I have never left the country. Twelve doctors have already provided clarification regarding my disability certificate. I have full faith in the judiciary and will continue my fight,” Khedkar said.
“I took the examinations on time and followed all the required procedures. I never changed my name…I only added my mother’s name, similar to what the Chief Minister of Maharashtra has done. I have also submitted a gazette notification regarding the name change,” she added.
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