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Delhi HC to pronounce today verdict on anticipatory bail plea of ex-IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar

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New Delhi, Dec 23: The Delhi High Court is slated to deliver on Monday its judgment on anticipatory bail plea of sacked Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who allegedly submitted false OBC and PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) certificates and fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limits provided for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by faking her identity.

As per the causelist published on the website of the Delhi HC, a bench of Justice Chandra Dhari Singh will pronounce its verdict on December 23.

Earlier on November 28, Justice Singh-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing both sides. It was then clarified that till the judgment is delivered, the interim relief granted earlier to Puja Khedkar shielding her from arrest will continue.

Asking Khedkar to cooperate with the investigation, the Delhi High Court, in an interim order passed on August 12, granted her protection from arrest.

Earlier, a court here had turned down her anticipatory bail plea and asked the investigating agency to find out if anyone from inside the UPSC had helped Khedkar.

Widening the scope of the probe, Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala had asked Delhi Police to investigate if other people recommended by the UPSC have availed quota benefits without entitlement.

The Centre, on September 7, sacked Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, a month after the UPSC cancelled her selection in government service. Khedkar has been found guilty of faking and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits.

After cancelling her selection, the UPSC also barred her for life from taking the entrance exam after finding her guilty of faking her identity to take the exam multiple times.

In a status report submitted to the Delhi High Court, Delhi Police had contended that former Maharashtra cadre probationary IAS officer Khedkar had submitted two separate disability certificates for her UPSC exam. The disability certificates dated 2018 and 2021 citing ‘multiple disabilities’ were purportedly issued by the Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital for her UPSC attempts made in 2022 and 2023.

However, as per Delhi Police’s status report, the hospital authorities had denied that the certificates claiming ‘multiple disabilities’ were issued to her by them. It was found that Khedkar availed relaxed criteria for OBC candidates and persons with disabilities.

It then came to light that her father, a former Maharashtra government officer, had property to the tune of Rs 40 crore and that she did not qualify for the non-creamy layer OBC quota.

The UPSC had said that its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) “could not detect her number of attempts primarily because she changed not only her name but also her parents’ names”.

The Delhi High Court also issued notice to Khedkar on an application filed by the UPSC alleging that she committed perjury by swearing a false affidavit and making a false statement in relation to her anticipatory bail plea.

In its application, the UPSC disputed that it did not collect any biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) during Khedkar’s personality test and she made a “false statement” regarding the collection of her biometrics for obtaining favourable orders.

Maharashtra

Becoming 8-10 MLAs is not a big deal, but if 8-10 become good IAS officers then there will be a revolution in the society: Abu Asim Azmi

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abu aasim aazmi

Mumbai: MLA of Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency and Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi organized a decimal program for students at City Banquet Hall in Govind, Mumbai, in which laptops and tablets were gifted to the meritorious students of Mankhurd Nagar Assembly constituency who achieved excellent and prestigious results in class 10th and 12th. Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui (IAS) was present as the chief guest on this occasion and he guided the students of Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar for the future. On this occasion, Abu Asim Azmi, while guiding the students, said that becoming 8 or 10 MLAs is not a big deal. If 8 or 10 good IAS officers are selected, a better society will develop and revolutionary changes will come. This will create a better society. On this occasion, 40 talented students were given tablets, 4 students were given laptops, trophies and certificates were given to those who scored 100% marks in the examination and gifts were also given to hardworking women who made their children capable. Apart from this, Hajra Majeed Hecha, who got the highest marks of 99.4 percent in class 10 in Azamgarh, was given a laptop and given special honor. On this occasion, Samajwadi Party’s state general secretary Zeba Malik, councilor Rukhsana Siddiqui, Ayesha Rafiq Sheikh, Irfan Khan, Fahad Azmi, Taluka President Gayasuddin Sheikh and Pakshacharya, various officials, as well as a large number of students of the department and their parents were present. The program was directed by Javed Sheikh and Shabnam Khan.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Police helpline on Eid-ul-Adha

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Mumbai: In view of Eid-ul-Azha, Mumbai Police has launched a special helpline to ensure that there is no problem in the transportation of sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha. Despite the BMC allowing the purchase and sale of animals, if any problem or difficulty arises, animal traders and traders can contact the above helpline numbers 8976754100 and 02222623054. The Deonar Mandi for Eid-ul-Azha will begin from May 26, but the arrival of animals and goats in the market has started from today i.e. Saturday. Animal market police in Mumbai city and suburbs have made necessary security arrangements at the border. Mumbai Police has also issued a helpline. The purpose of this helpline is to curb animal smuggling and harassment by traders. Therefore, the helpline has been set up so that there is no problem of any kind during Eid-ul-Azha.

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Maharashtra

After loudspeakers in mosques, now Kirit Somaiya objects to Qurbani too, demands ban on open Qurbani in Mumbai

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Mumbai: Before Eid-ul-Azha, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has shown mischief and now has objected to the open sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha. Kirit Somaiya has said that Muslims are forced to sacrifice in the open on Eid-ul-Azha. Its purpose is to create fear and terror among non-Muslims, Hindus and Jain community. Along with this, he has alleged that land mafias perform such sacrifices to create an atmosphere of fear and panic in the area. In this regard, Kirit Somaiya has announced to visit police stations and BMC wards from Monday against open sacrifice and to put pressure on the police and administration to stop this practice.

Kirit Somaiya, while giving an inflammatory speech, said that just as Mumbai has been made loudspeaker free, loudspeakers have been removed from 80% of mosques, but loudspeakers are still installed in 20 slums and mosques including Antap Hill, Truck Terminal and Wadala. These loudspeakers will be completely removed within a month. Similarly, Kirit Somaiya has also demanded action against illegal mosques and madrasas in housing societies. Kirit Somaiya said that now bullying will not work. If anyone sacrifices in the open, action will be taken against him. That is why this campaign has been started from Monday. In 100 settlements, sacrifices are being made in the open without any permission, which is completely illegal. Its purpose is to create an atmosphere of fear in the area so that no one can raise their voice against these goons.

Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the issue of loudspeakers and sacrifice and discussed with communal elements. He had demanded action and alleged that only Muslim mosques are being targeted in the name of noise pollution, which is completely wrong. The police have sent notices to mosques and forbidden them from doing so so that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained. On this, Kirit Somaiya said that this action is being taken on the orders of the High Court. Abu Asim Azmi and Uddhav Thackeray should go to the High Court or make a law.

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