Latest news with #Backwards


India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
SC grants anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in fraud case
New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging her documents to obtain eligibility for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission test. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma asked Khedkar to cooperate in the probe. During the hearing, the bench said, 'What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. She has not committed 376 offence (rape).' The apex court while granting anticipatory bail to her said that she will cooperate with the investigation and shall not in anyway influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records. 'In the event of arrest, the appellant shall be released on bail, furnishing cash sureties of Rs. 35,000 with two sureties. She shall extend complete cooperation in the ensuing investigation and shall not misuse her liberty, and shall not in any way influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records. Should there be any violation of the aforesaid conditions, the liberty is reserved to the respondent to seek cancellation of anticipatory bail. With the aforesaid directions, criminal appeal is allowed,' the order stated. Khedkar is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Earlier, the apex court had been extending its interim order of granting protection from arrest to Khedkar. Khedkar has opposed her plea and said that she has not cooperated with the probe. Khedkar had challenged in the top court the Delhi High Court order rejecting her anticipatory bail plea. In January, the apex court granted her interim protection from arrest and asked her to cooperate in the investigation. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to clear the Union Public Service Commission exam (UPSC exam). The Delhi High Court while dismissing anticipatory bail plea had made strong observations against Khedkar saying 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 the Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. (ANI)


Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajasthan Deputy Commandant Recruitment 2025: Many ineligible candidates applying, says RPSC
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has found a significant number of ineligible candidates applying for the Deputy Commandant Recruitment, 2025, during a random scrutiny of applications, an official said. According to RPSC Secretary Ram Niwas Mehta, many applicants did not meet the essential eligibility criteria, yet they submitted their applications. In light of this, the Commission is preparing to initiate strict action against such ineligible candidates, he added. The recruitment body stated that such applicants have been asked to withdraw their applications between May 13 and May 28. Meanwhile, former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market in Delhi last week 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.


India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Many ineligible candidates applying for Deputy Commandant recruitment: RPSC
Ajmer (Rajasthan) [India], May 14 (ANI): The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has found a significant number of ineligible candidates applying for the Deputy Commandant Recruitment, 2025, during a random scrutiny of applications, an official said. According to RPSC Secretary Ram Niwas Mehta, many applicants did not meet the essential eligibility criteria, yet they submitted their applications. In light of this, the Commission is preparing to initiate strict action against such ineligible candidates, he added. The recruitment body stated that such applicants have been asked to withdraw their applications between May 13 and May 28. Meanwhile, former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market in Delhi last week 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. (ANI)


Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar questioned by Crime Branch over fake certificates in UPSC exam
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) 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 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 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 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.


New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Caste census nod may influence Bihar polls, dampen Opposition's hope: Expert
NEW DELHI: The decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census is expected to have major electoral implications in the Bihar Assembly elections set for September–October, potentially giving the ruling NDA a strategic edge in a state where caste remains a key factor in political mobilisation. The decision by the Modi-led central government has effectively blunted a key campaign narrative of the Opposition, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, who had been fervent advocates of a caste census. The move has the potential to disrupt the Opposition's attempts to galvanise Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) and marginalised communities around this issue. Importantly, the Janata Dal (United) — JD(U) — which leads the NDA in Bihar now , had long championed the cause of caste-based enumeration. Although the JD(U) was previously part of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government, it had already taken the initiative to conduct a state-level caste-based survey independently. This move had been projected as a milestone in understanding and addressing caste-based disparities in Bihar. 'With one well-crafted decision, notably just 5 to 6 months before the Bihar polls, to hold the caste census as part of the national census by the Modi government has certainly dampened the poll plank of the Opposition, which has been taking on the NDA on this issue. The Modi government, with this decision, has succeeded to a great extent in preventing polarisation of OBCs and other marginalised communities towards Mahagathbandhan,' remarked Dr R K Verma, a noted political analyst from Bihar. He further described the decision as 'an act of putting an end to the Opposition narrative.' Traditionally, caste dynamics have been a major driver in Bihar's political alignments. The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census not only weakens the misinformation campaigns alleging NDA's reluctance on the issue but also repositions the alliance as responsive to the socio-political concerns of the state. While over 45% of Bihar's population comprises OBCs, and an estimated 40–50% includes other extremely poor and marginalised communities, the credit for initiating the discourse may still be partially attributed to the RJD and the Congress. However, the perception of the NDA as 'anti-caste census' is expected to diminish significantly. Dr Nikhil Anand, the BJP OBC Morcha's national general secretary and a senior leader in the Bihar BJP, affirmed the significance of the move. 'The decision has once again reflected the PM Modi as being the single genuine well-wisher of OBC and poor castes with this decision,' he stated. Political observers believe that the strategic timing and national scope of this announcement could prove decisive for the NDA's electoral prospects. It not only aligns with the aspirations of large voter segments but also reclaims the narrative that had been monopolised by the Opposition. As Bihar braces for another fiercely contested assembly election, caste remains an enduring reality of its political arithmetic, and this latest move may just have shifted the equation in favour of the NDA.