The Supreme Court on Monday directed former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar to appear before the Delhi Police on May 2 for questioning in a case involving cheating and wrongful availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma also ruled that no coercive steps, including arrest, would be taken against Khedkar until the next hearing on May 21.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the police, argued that custodial interrogation of Khedkar was crucial to uncover the identities of middlemen allegedly involved in the scam of preparing fake disability certificates for UPSC aspirants. He further claimed that Khedkar’s family owned several properties and that she was not eligible to claim quota benefits as a member of the non-creamy layer OBC community. Raju also suggested that only her custodial interrogation would make the investigation effective.
In response, Justice Nagarathna said, "Effectiveness of the interrogation will depend on the agency. You interrogate her first, we will see," as quoted by The Hindu. The court also urged the police to expedite the investigation. Justice Nagarathna warned Khedkar’s lawyers, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra and advocate Bina Madhavan, that "drastic steps" would be taken if Khedkar did not cooperate with the interrogation. The Bench emphasised that Khedkar must provide all the documents sought by the police. "If she does not bring records, she will face consequences," Justice Nagarathna cautioned.
Khedkar is accused of providing false information in her 2022 UPSC civil services exam application in order to avail reservation benefits. She has denied all the allegations.
In a prior ruling, the high court dismissed her anticipatory bail plea, citing a strong prima facie case against her. The court also noted the need for further investigation to uncover a "larger conspiracy" aimed at manipulating the system. The high court believed that granting relief at this stage would hinder the investigation.
Khedkar had been granted interim protection from arrest when the high court issued a notice on her anticipatory bail plea on August 12, 2024. This protection has been extended on multiple occasions.
The UPSC took action against Khedkar, including filing a criminal case, for using a fake identity to gain additional attempts in the civil services examination. Delhi Police also registered an FIR against her for various offences.
(With inputs from agencies)