New Delhi, May 22, 2025 — The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who is at the center of a high-profile controversy involving allegations of cheating in the civil services examination. The apex court overruled the Delhi High Court's earlier decision and observed that Khedkar was not accused of any "grave crime" warranting custodial interrogation.

Top Court Rejects ‘Grave Crime’ Argument

A bench comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said the charges against Khedkar — including fraudulently claiming benefits under the OBC and PwBD quotas — did not justify denial of bail.

“She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She hasn’t committed murder under Section 302. Why should she be treated as such? She has already lost everything — her job, her future,” Justice Nagarathna remarked during the hearing.

The court noted that while the accusations involve serious lapses and misuse of the reservation system, they do not constitute violent or grave offenses under Indian law.

Fall from Grace: The Allegations

Puja Khedkar, a 2022 UPSC topper, is accused of manipulating the recruitment process by:

• Submitting fake disability and caste certificates

• Using multiple identities and documents

• Exceeding the permitted number of attempts for the UPSC exam

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) later cancelled her candidature, dismissed her from service, and filed a police complaint. The Delhi Police registered an FIR and are investigating the possibility of a larger racket involving forged documents.

‘Not a Flight Risk’: Supreme Court Softens Stance

Despite arguments from the Delhi Police that Khedkar was not cooperating and posed a threat to the ongoing investigation, the Supreme Court stated that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. The court said that conditions such as full cooperation and non-interference with evidence would be enough.

“This is a fit case where the Delhi High Court ought to have granted anticipatory bail,” the bench noted in its order.

What This Means Going Forward

While the case is far from closed, the Supreme Court's decision signals a more balanced approach to high-profile white-collar cases, especially when custody is not deemed essential.

For Puja Khedkar, however, the road ahead remains difficult. With her career in civil services already derailed, and her name linked to fraud, finding any future employment in public service may prove nearly impossible.

The investigation continues, and the Delhi Police is expected to file a status report in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, questions remain about the robustness of the UPSC’s verification system and how such alleged manipulation went undetected until after selection.