The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar, who is facing serious charges of forgery, cheating, and attempting to deceive authorities in order to secure benefits for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Khedkar is accused of falsely claiming physical and mental disabilities, altering her name and surname, and forging an OBC certificate to qualify for the examination. The court observed that her actions were part of a larger conspiracy aimed at exploiting benefits meant for disadvantaged groups, and ruled that she was "unfit for appointment."

The investigation into her actions could expand to include her family members and possibly government officials, as there are suspicions of collusion. Khedkar’s application for bail was opposed by the Delhi Police and the UPSC, as they argued that her custody was necessary for further questioning to uncover the full extent of the fraud. Khedkar’s case highlights issues of corruption, misuse of public schemes, and the potential involvement of powerful individuals.

This incident also ties into Khedkar's controversial IAS selection, where her claims for disability exemptions and relaxed criteria for OBC candidates came under scrutiny. Her father’s wealth and her failure to complete mandatory health check-ups further raised questions about her eligibility. Khedkar has denied the charges, claiming she is being targeted after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a senior official.