Former IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar has submitted her response to the Delhi High Court, firmly rejecting all allegations made by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In her reply, Khedkar argued that the UPSC does not have the authority to cancel her candidature once her appointment has been made. She emphasized that only the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the central government holds the power to take any action against her.

No Changes Made to Name or Identity – Pooja Khedkar

In her submission to the court, Pooja Khedkar asserted that there has been no change in her name, identity, or surname from 2012 to 2022. She claimed that the UPSC may have been misinformed by false reports. She defended her stance by stating that the UPSC had verified her identity using biometric data and did not find any of the documents she submitted to be fake or incorrect. Khedkar maintained that her educational certificates, Aadhaar card, date of birth, and other personal information were all accurate.

Disability Verification Also Found Correct

In her response, Pooja Khedkar mentioned that her disability status was also properly verified. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) conducted verifications, and a medical board formed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) found her disability to be 47%, which is above the 40% threshold required for the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category.

False Claims About Name and Address Are Incorrect – Pooja Khedkar

Pooja Khedkar further argued in her response to the Delhi High Court that the claims about her name and address being false were incorrect. She explained that she had provided affidavits and official gazette notifications to rectify any inaccuracies in her name and certificates. Additionally, she had complied with the UPSC’s request to disclose her caste and father’s name. Khedkar contended that it was unjust for the Commission to allege that she had committed any fraud regarding her name and address.

UPSC’s Decision to Cancel Candidature Due to Alleged Fraud

It is noteworthy that Pooja Khedkar was a selected candidate for the IAS 2023 batch. During her training, she faced allegations of providing false information to the UPSC to avail benefits under reservation. The accusations included discrepancies in her name, address, age, caste certificate, and disability certificate. Following an investigation, the UPSC found these allegations to be valid and subsequently canceled her candidature.

What Lies Ahead for Pooja Khedkar?

Pooja Khedkar’s legal battle against the UPSC’s decision has drawn significant attention, raising important questions about the rights of candidates and the powers of the Commission. The Delhi High Court’s ruling on this matter will likely set a precedent for future cases involving disputes over candidature and selection in civil services. As the court proceedings continue, all eyes are on the outcome that could have far-reaching implications for both the civil services aspirants and the functioning of the UPSC.