The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar who has been accused of cheating and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.Ruling that a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said investigation was required to unearth the “larger conspiracy” to manipulate the system, which would be adversely impacted if the accused was granted pre-arrest bail.
“Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated,” Justice Singh said while ruling on Khedkar’s anticipatory bail plea.
The civil services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the judge said, was the most prestigious test and this case was a classic instance of fraud committed on a constitutional body as well as society.