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Puja Khedkar faced allegations of fraudulently utilizing reservations designated for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities to pass the UPSC exam. Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing the UPSC, condemned her actions arguing that such actions deprived legitimate candidates of employment opportunities and breached the integrity of the examination system.
The Union Public Service Commission, on Wednesday, informed the Delhi High Court that they would serve IAS trainee Puja Khedkar with a copy of the order canceling her candidature within two days. The bench of Justice Jyoti Singh presided over Puja’s petition challenging the cancellation of the UPSC candidature.
On July 31, the UPSC canceled her candidature and permanently barred her from all future examinations and selections, citing her violation of the Civil Services Examination-2022 Rules.
The court questioned Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, representing Khedkar, on why the action had not been challenged before the Central Administrative Tribunal. Senior Advocate Jaising informed that the plea was moved to the High Court because Khedkar had not received the official order from UPSC, and she argued that Khedkar could not be informed of her candidature's cancellation via a press release.
Senior Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing UPSC, stated that a press release was necessary because Khedkar's whereabouts were unknown. Senior Advocate Jaising, after consultation, agreed to withdraw the plea if granted permission to approach the appropriate forum according to the law. Senior Advocate Kaushik informed the court that the order would be communicated to Khedkar within two days via email and her last known address.
On August 1, Khedkar was denied anticipatory bail by the trial court, which directed a broader investigation into the case, including examining candidates who had previously availed of benefits beyond permissible limits.
Case Title: Puja Khedkar v UPSC
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