SC grants anticipatory bail to ex-IAS officer Puja Khedkar in fake certificate case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who is facing serious allegations of submitting forged OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates to clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.

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A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed the criminal appeal filed by Khedkar challenging the Delhi High Court's earlier denial of anticipatory bail.

“In view of the nature of offences and facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the High Court ought to have granted the relief of anticipatory bail,” the Bench observed.

The Court made permanent the interim protection from arrest that had been granted to Khedkar in January.

The final order reads, “In the event of arrest, the appellant shall be released on bail upon furnishing cash surety of Rs 25,000 along with two live sureties.