pooja khedkar
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Former IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that she is willing to undergo medical examination at AIIMS after the city police claimed that a disability certificate of hers may be forged and fabricated. Khedkar, who has been accused of fraudulently and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits, made the submission when the court was considering her anticipatory bail plea in a criminal case.
“I am ready to undergo my medical examination. First they say I have changed my name. Now they say the disability is suspicious. I am ready to go to AIIMS,” the senior advocate appearing for Khedkar said. Justice Subramonium Prasad listed the matter for further hearing on September 26, recording that the police have prayed for 10 more days for further investigation. The interim protection from arrest granted to Khedkar by the high court will continue till then.
The Delhi Police counsel argued that Khedkar had concealed facts while attempting the civil services exam that she was otherwise not eligible to write. Khedkar’s senior counsel claimed that the police had not pressed for her custodial interrogation in its status report filed in the case and that it was not required anyway as all records were available with the authorities.
The police said his custody was necessary to unearth the conspiracy and other persons involved. Khedkar allegedly misrepresented information in his application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022 to avail reservation benefits. On July 31, the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) cancelled his candidature and barred him from future exams.
