Puja Khedkar Challenges UPSC Decision in Delhi High Court
New Delhi, August 5: Former probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has moved the Delhi High Court to challenge the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) decision to cancel her candidature. The case will be heard on Wednesday by a bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan.
UPSC’s Decision
On July 31, the UPSC announced that it had canceled Puja Khedkar’s provisional candidature due to accusations of cheating and forgery. She was found guilty of violating the CSE-2022 Rules and was permanently debarred from all future UPSC exams and selections. Despite being given until 3:30 pm on July 30, 2024, to respond to a show cause notice, she failed to submit her explanation.
Legal Proceedings
The Delhi Patiala House Court recently dismissed Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea. Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala stated that the allegations against her are serious and require thorough investigation. The court noted that she is charged with multiple offenses, including cheating and forgery, under various sections of the IPC, IT Act, and Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
The court also directed the investigating agency to widen its scope to identify other candidates who may have illegally availed benefits or attempts beyond permissible limits.
FIR and Investigation
Recently, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Puja Khedkar based on a complaint by the UPSC, accusing her of faking her identity to fraudulently avail additional attempts in the civil services examination.
Doubts Revealed
UPSC -: UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. It is an organization in India that conducts exams to select people for various government jobs, like IAS officers.
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi where important legal cases are decided. It is one of the highest courts in India.
IAS officer -: IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service. IAS officers are important government officials who help run the country by managing different departments and areas.
candidature -: Candidature means being a candidate or a person who is trying to get a job or a position, like in an exam or election.
cheating and forgery -: Cheating means breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage, and forgery means making fake documents or signatures to deceive others.
permanent debarment -: Permanent debarment means being banned forever from doing something, like taking an exam again.
anticipatory bail plea -: An anticipatory bail plea is a request made to the court to avoid being arrested in the future for a crime that someone thinks they might be accused of.
Patiala House Court -: Patiala House Court is a court complex in Delhi where many legal cases are heard and decided.