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The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar, who faces allegations of forging documents and misusing the OBC non-creamy layer quota to secure eligibility for the 2022 Civil Services examination.

While granting relief to Khedkar, the Supreme Court made a pointed observation that she is “not a drug lord or a terrorist,” sharply contrasting her case with more serious offenses. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police strongly opposed the anticipatory bail application, arguing that Khedkar had been uncooperative during the ongoing investigation.

The bench remarked, “She is not an NDPS offender. You should have a system or a software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere,” emphasising the hardships Khedkar had already faced. The Supreme Court also criticized the Delhi High Court for denying bail, stating, “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.”

#WATCH | Delhi | After appearing before the Crime Branch, Ex-IAS trainee officer, Puja Khedkar says, "As per the Supreme Court orders, I have come here to cooperate in the investigation. I said it since day 1 that in whatever way possible, I am ready to cooperate... All the… pic.twitter.com/rV80vxf9WO

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2025

The case against Khedkar was registered after allegations surfaced that she had falsified her family’s income status and other details in order to claim relaxation under the OBC non-creamy layer quota while applying for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Following an inquiry, the UPSC cancelled her selection, concluding that she had forged documents to gain an unfair advantage. The commission subsequently imposed a lifetime ban on Khedkar from appearing in the prestigious exam again. About a month later, the central government relieved her of all official duties.

Khedkar’s controversies began in June last year when Pune Collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, highlighting the trainee officer’s demand for a personal car, staff, and office facilities—requests seen as inappropriate for her position. In response to the uproar, she was transferred to Washim.

Further scrutiny of her selection revealed that Khedkar had allegedly forged documents to claim relaxations not only under the OBC quota but also under the persons with disabilities category. Investigations later revealed that her father, a former Maharashtra government officer, owned property valued at around Rs 40 crore, which made her ineligible for the OBC non-creamy layer quota on economic grounds.

 

Also Read: SC extends Puja Khedkar’s protection from arrest