Top court grants bail to ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of forging documents and allegedly misusing the OBC non-creamy layer quota to gain eligibility for the 2022 Civil Services entrance exam.

Providing relief to Khedkar, the Supreme Court observed that she is "not a drug lord or a terrorist," while the Delhi Police strongly opposed the anticipatory bail, stating that she was not cooperating with the investigation.

"Bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the Delhi High Court ought to have granted bail to the petitioner," the court stated.

A criminal case was registered against Khedkar for allegedly falsifying and misrepresenting his family's income status and other details while sitting for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.

Subsequently, the UPSC cancelled her selection after finding her guilty of forging documents. The commission further barred Khedkar for life from appearing for the prestigious exam. A month later, the Centre relieved her of all duties.