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The Supreme Court of India has provided temporary respite to Puja Khedkar, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) probationer, by staying her arrest until February 14th, 2025. This decision comes after Khedkar challenged the Delhi High Court's rejection of her anticipatory bail plea. The High Court had strongly condemned Khedkar, suggesting a strong case against her and expressing concern about a potential larger conspiracy. The High Court's judgment vacated interim protection granted to Khedkar, emphasizing the need for investigation to uncover all aspects of the alleged fraud. This alleged fraud involves accusations of cheating and the wrongful utilization of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits during the 2022 Civil Services Examination. The gravity of the accusations against Khedkar is significant, as the High Court described the incident as a 'classic example of fraud committed not only with a constitutional body but the society at large'. The implications of this case extend far beyond Khedkar herself, potentially impacting the integrity of the Indian civil services examination system and raising questions about the effectiveness of existing safeguards against fraud and misuse of quotas.
Khedkar's defense rests on several points. She argues that she lacks criminal antecedents, highlights her status as an unmarried woman with a benchmark disability, and emphasizes her appointment to the All India Service after physical verification. She claims entitlement to protection under the All India Services Act and Rules, as well as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, until proven guilty. These arguments emphasize her legal standing and the potential for undue hardship if arrested. The Supreme Court's decision to grant interim protection reflects a cautious approach, acknowledging Khedkar's claims while allowing time for a thorough examination of the evidence presented by both sides. The February 14th deadline allows the Delhi government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to respond to Khedkar's plea, ensuring a more comprehensive evaluation of the facts before a final decision is rendered.
The case against Khedkar involves accusations of serious misconduct, potentially undermining the fairness and transparency of the civil services examination. The UPSC's cancellation of her candidature and permanent debarment from future examinations underscore the severity of the alleged offenses. This case raises concerns about the vulnerabilities within the system, prompting questions about how such alleged fraudulent activities can be prevented in the future. The ongoing investigation and the legal proceedings will likely shed more light on the intricacies of the case, potentially leading to significant changes in the examination process and related regulations. The Supreme Court's interim order provides a temporary reprieve for Khedkar, but the long-term consequences of the case remain uncertain, pending a comprehensive review and final ruling on the merits of the accusations.
Source: Ex-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar gets Supreme Court relief, no arrest till Feb 14