Supreme Court Grants Bail to Puja Khedkar
Former IAS Probationer Accused of Using Fake Certificates
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar. She is a former IAS probationer. Puja is accused of using fake OBC and PwD certificates in the civil services (UPSC) examination. She had asked the court for pre-arrest bail.
Court’s Observations
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma allowed her plea. They granted her relief under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The bench said, “What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed murder. 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.”
Conditions for Bail
The bench ordered:
- Khedkar should be released on bail if arrested.
- She must furnish cash sureties of Rs 25,000 with two live sureties.
- She shall not misuse her liberty.
- She shall not influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records.
- If there is any violation, the respondent can seek cancellation of anticipatory bail.
Khedkar’s Response
Khedkar said that she was “relieved” by the Supreme Court’s order. She stated, “The Supreme Court order validates my stance. A wrong narrative against me was built in the media, but I was certain that I would get justice.”
