The Supreme Court of India upheld the stay on the arrest of former trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar.
The court gave Khedkar time to file a counter-affidavit in response to the charges against her.
The next hearing for the case is scheduled for April 15.
The case stems from accusations that Pooja Khedkar fraudulently used an OBC (Other Backward Classes) and disability certificate to gain an unfair advantage in the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination.
The Delhi Police, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, presented evidence accusing Khedkar of altering her name and submitting fake certificates.
Raju also alleged that Khedkar manipulated the disability certificate to claim benefits under the reserved categories.
Khedkar’s lawyers, however, have argued that she is cooperating with the investigation and that her detention is unnecessary since all the evidence is documentary in nature.
They have also claimed that the investigation has not yet proven any fraudulent activity on Khedkar’s part, and instead, pointed out deficiencies in the authorities’ handling of the case.
The Delhi Police further argued that Khedkar’s detention was crucial for identifying other individuals involved in the alleged fraud.
The police have raised concerns about unexamined electronic evidence and the discrepancies in the certificates submitted by Khedkar.
Additionally, the UPSC has accused Khedkar of attempting to manipulate the judicial process by submitting false affidavits and misleading statements.
The controversy surrounding Khedkar’s case began when a one-member panel, formed by the government, found that she had submitted fraudulent certificates to gain an advantage in the UPSC exams.
Further investigations revealed that Khedkar had allegedly submitted a fake disability certificate to benefit from a reservation meant for differently-abled candidates.
Khedkar’s mother, too, has been involved in controversy, with a viral video showing her allegedly threatening farmers in Mulshi over land disputes.
This led to her arrest by the police on July 18, 2023.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the arrest stay indicates that the legal battle for Pooja Khedkar is far from over.
As she prepares to submit a counter-affidavit, the focus will be on whether the Delhi Police can provide sufficient evidence to warrant her detention.
The next hearing on April 15 will determine the future course of action in this high-profile case.
The case against Pooja Khedkar highlights concerns about misuse of reservation systems and fraudulent practices in the competitive examination process.
As the investigation continues, both Khedkar and the authorities await further scrutiny, with legal arguments expected to unfold in the coming weeks.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has kept the matter in the spotlight, with a decision on her arrest pending further hearings.
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