logo
Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar questioned by Crime Branch over fake certificates in UPSC exam

Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar questioned by Crime Branch over fake certificates in UPSC exam

Time of India02-05-2025

Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee, appeared before the Crime Branch for questioning regarding allegations of submitting forged certificates to clear the 2022 UPSC exam. She denied the accusations and asserted her cooperation with the investigation, refuting claims of fleeing the country.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market here on Friday for questioning related to an FIR filed against her for allegedly submitting forged certificates to clear her 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.Speaking to ANI, Khedkar said, "As per the Supreme Court orders, I have come here to cooperate in the investigation. I said it since day one that in whatever way possible, I am ready to cooperate. All the allegations against me that I have submitted fake certificates are false. I have been and I will be in India - whatever people are saying that I have fled to another country is wrong."Earlier, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case as her counsel told the bench that a counter-affidavit had been filed on her behalf, but it was not showing on the court's record.The top court asked the Delhi police to complete the probe fast and asked why it was not completing the investigation when Khedkar herself had said it in an affidavit that she was willing to cooperate.Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to secure a seat by taking the UPSC exam The Delhi High Court while dismissing anticipatory bail plea had made strong observations against Khedkar saying that its a "classic example of fraud, not only with a Constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole."The High Court had emphasised that interrogation is necessary to uncover the conspiracy involved. The High Court had also highlighted that the father and mother held high-ranking positions, suggesting the possibility of collusion with influential individuals.Khedkar is facing criminal charges filed by Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the Civil Services Examination.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Manesar land scam: Court to rule on charges against 3 more accused
Manesar land scam: Court to rule on charges against 3 more accused

Time of India

time17 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Manesar land scam: Court to rule on charges against 3 more accused

Panchkula: In a significant development in the Manesar land scam, a special CBI court has opted to first decide on framing charges against three more people before consolidating the chargesheet against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 30 others. Special CBI Judge Rajiv Goyal made the ruling last Friday, following the Punjab and Haryana high court's vacation of a stay on proceedings. The three individuals facing potential charges are former IAS officer D R Dhingra and private persons Dhare Singh and Kulwant Singh Lamba. The court has scheduled July 10 for resumed arguments regarding the chargesheet against this trio. The extensive case implicates former CM Hooda, his three ex-principal secretaries – Murari Lal Tayal (also facing another trial), S S Dhillon, and Chhattar Singh – as well as various companies and their office bearers involved in the controversial land transactions. The Supreme Court has stayed proceedings against another accused bureaucrat, Rajiv Arora, who was named in the initial chargesheet. The scam revolves around 914 acres of land in Manesar, Gurugram district, originally slated for acquisition to develop an Industrial Model Township (IMT). Following the Aug 2004 notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, a rush to acquire land at low prices ensued. Builders and land mafia reportedly capitalised on residents' panic, acquiring plots at "throwaway rates". Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In 2007, the industrial department released the land from the acquisition process. Allegations of political patronage in the builder-official-land mafia nexus led aggrieved parties to court. Ultimately, the Supreme Court directed the CBI to probe the matter, leading to the chargesheet naming former CM Hooda. MSID:: 121731795 413 |

BSP to discuss steps for OBC outreach today
BSP to discuss steps for OBC outreach today

Time of India

time33 minutes ago

  • Time of India

BSP to discuss steps for OBC outreach today

Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party will hold a meeting of the newly constituted OBC Morcha of its state unit on Tuesday. The OBC Morcha was formed on March 25, when party national president Mayawati issued instructions to the cadre on how to reach out to OBCs in the state to bring them back to the party fold. In the upcoming meeting, UP state president Vishwanath Pal and other senior functionaries will review the action taken on the instructions of the party president. OBCs, along with Dalits, were once the vote base of the BSP. Many OBC leaders in the state, who now have their own political outfits, were once with the BSP, said sources in the party. To win over OBCs, BSP has started putting functionaries from the backward castes in key roles at the district, sector, and booth-level organisation. They have been instructed to reach out to OBCs in villages and towns and expose the anti-OBC agenda of the BJP, Congress, and Samajwadi Party. They will also highlight the steps taken by BSP govts in UP for the welfare of OBCs, such as constituting a separate department for the welfare of backward classes in the state in 1995 and creating two new districts, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Nagar and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar, in 1997. Mayawati, in the March 25 meeting, asked the cadre to inform the OBCs about the welfare and development schemes initiated for them by the BSP, besides building of memorials, parks, and institutions to immortalise their icons. "Village-level meetings have started and OBCs, along with Dalits, have been made in-charge at every assembly segment to hold these programmes regularly," a party functionary said.

Odisha IAS officer hailing from Tripura caught taking bribe
Odisha IAS officer hailing from Tripura caught taking bribe

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Odisha IAS officer hailing from Tripura caught taking bribe

1 2 3 4 Bhubaneswar: IAS officer Dhiman Chakma (36), once celebrated on social media for his inspiring journey as the first successful candidate from Tripura's remote Kanchanpur town, was caught accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe in Odisha's Kalahandi district on Sunday. Chakma was sent to judicial custody on Monday after the court rejected his bail plea. Chakma's career began in 2019 when he was selected in UPSC's Indian Forest Service. He joined as an assistant conservator of forests in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district. In 2024, he cleared the IAS exam and joined as sub-collector at Dharmagar in Kalahandi. His journey of becoming an IAS officer had captured public imagination. His story, featuring accounts of his preparation and eventual triumph, was widely shared on social media, inspiring countless aspirants. The narrative took a dark turn when Odisha vigilance arrested Chakma. Besides the bribe money, an additional Rs 47 lakh cash was recovered in a house search. "We are verifying his movable and immovable assets. Policy related decisions taken by him are also being scrutinised," a vigilance official said. The contrast between Chakma's past and present has sparked intense discussions on social media. "This case underscores how quickly public servants can deviate from their sworn duties in the very beginning of their career. It is very disappointing...," retired DGP Santosh Kumar Upadhyay said. "The incident has prompted broader discussions about corruption in civil services and the need for stronger accountability measures. Chakma's fall from grace also serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with public service positions and the consequences of betraying public trust," retired chief secretary Bijay Patnaik said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store