Puja Khedkar submitted two disability certificates, possibly one is forged: Delhi Police to Court

Delhi Police status report submitted that during further investigation, on scrutiny of documents provided by UPSC, it was revealed that alleged/applicant/Puja Khedkar submitted two Disability Certificates (Multiple Disability) purported to be issued by issuing Medical Authority, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.

The said Disability Certificates were submitted by the applicant during Civil Services Examinations - 2022 and 2023 respectively. After verification of the certificate, the Issuing Medical Authority, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra reported as under: -

"Disability Certificate (Multiple Disability) vide No. MH2610119900342407 has not been issued by the Issuing Medical Authority, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra as per our Civil Surgeon Office Records, hence the possibility of Disability Certificate forged and fabricated is more likely."

On the previous hearing date, the Delhi High Court extended the interim protection from arrest for suspended IAS officer Pooja Khedkar. Justice Subramonium Prasad deferred the hearing on Khedkar's anticipatory bail plea to September 5, noting that the Delhi Police intends to file a fresh status report in the case.

In her recent reply to the Delhi High Court, Pooja Khedkar, who faces accusations of cheating and improperly securing OBC and disability quota benefits, stated that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) does not have the authority to disqualify her.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had issued notices to the Delhi Police and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding the anticipatory bail plea of suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar.

The court had also instructed the investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter was under consideration, noting that immediate arrest is not deemed necessary.

The Delhi High Court earlier observed that the trial court's order denying bail for Puja Khedkar lacks substantial discussion, with only a brief mention of the Public Prosecutor's claim about the involvement of others. The High Court has instructed the police not to arrest Khedkar until Friday, pending further proceedings.

UPSC had argued that Puja Khedkar is a "mastermind" and that her actions would not have been possible without the assistance of others. This argument supports their position that custodial interrogation is necessary.

Puja Khedkar's plea in Delhi High Court follows the dismissal of her plea by Delhi's Patiala House Court last week, which found the allegations against her--related to falsifying identity for extra attempts in the civil services examination--to be serious and in need of thorough investigation. (ANI)