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India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Peddler of liars, factory of fake news": Shahzad Poonawalla slams Congress over caste census remarks
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of spreading fake news and lies on the issue of caste census and India's global diplomatic matters. His remarks came amid an ongoing political debate over the central government's stand on caste-based data collection. In a briefing, Poonawalla said, 'Congress is a peddler of liars and a factory of fake news... Lying has become their characteristic... Their lies have been exposed -- first that India was not invited to G7 summit, and second that Pakistan's Asim Munir has been invited to the US Army Day and that it was a failure of India's policies.' The BJP leader further accused Congress of deliberately misleading the public over the government's stand on the caste census. He said, 'Now Congress is on another lie. They are saying that the central government is taking a U-turn on the caste census... Various press releases of the government say that the caste census will be done.' He also alleged that Congress has a history of neglecting the rights of the Other Backwards Classes (OBCs). 'Congress is spreading misinformation because it is in their DNA to take away the rights of the OBC,' Poonawalla added. The statement came as political tensions remained high over the caste census demand, with the Congress accusing the BJP of avoiding concrete commitments, while the BJP maintained that the government has been transparent about its position. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed preparations for the upcoming Census of India, which is now officially set to include caste enumeration, as per the official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The minister hailed this move as a 'historic decision' that corrected a 'historical wrong.' The notification to conduct the Census was published in the official Gazette on Monday, following a high-level meeting held in Delhi, where the Home Minister reviewed the plan along with the Union Home Secretary, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI), and other senior officials. The Population Census 2027 will begin with a reference date of March 1, 2027, for most parts of the country. The reference date for snow-bound and non-synchronous areas such as Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be October 1, 2026. According to the official statement, around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and 1.3 lakh Census functionaries will be deployed for the exercise. This will be the first fully digital Census, using mobile apps and offering a self-enumeration option to citizens. The last Census was conducted in 2011. A new round scheduled for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite all initial preparations being completed. (ANI)
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
SC grants anticipatory bail to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar in fraud case
New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging her documents to obtain eligibility for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission test. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma asked Khedkar to cooperate in the probe. During the hearing, the bench said, 'What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. She has not committed 376 offence (rape).' The apex court while granting anticipatory bail to her said that she will cooperate with the investigation and shall not in anyway influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records. 'In the event of arrest, the appellant shall be released on bail, furnishing cash sureties of Rs. 35,000 with two sureties. She shall extend complete cooperation in the ensuing investigation and shall not misuse her liberty, and shall not in any way influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records. Should there be any violation of the aforesaid conditions, the liberty is reserved to the respondent to seek cancellation of anticipatory bail. With the aforesaid directions, criminal appeal is allowed,' the order stated. Khedkar is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Earlier, the apex court had been extending its interim order of granting protection from arrest to Khedkar. Khedkar has opposed her plea and said that she has not cooperated with the probe. Khedkar had challenged in the top court the Delhi High Court order rejecting her anticipatory bail plea. In January, the apex court granted her interim protection from arrest and asked her to cooperate in the investigation. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to clear the Union Public Service Commission exam (UPSC exam). The Delhi High Court while dismissing anticipatory bail plea had made strong observations against Khedkar saying its a 'classic example of fraud, not only with a constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole.' The High Court had emphasised that interrogation is necessary to uncover the conspiracy involved. The High Court had also highlighted that the father and mother held high-ranking positions, suggesting the possibility of collusion with influential individuals. Khedkar is facing criminal charges filed by the Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajasthan Deputy Commandant Recruitment 2025: Many ineligible candidates applying, says RPSC
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has found a significant number of ineligible candidates applying for the Deputy Commandant Recruitment, 2025, during a random scrutiny of applications, an official said. According to RPSC Secretary Ram Niwas Mehta, many applicants did not meet the essential eligibility criteria, yet they submitted their applications. In light of this, the Commission is preparing to initiate strict action against such ineligible candidates, he added. The recruitment body stated that such applicants have been asked to withdraw their applications between May 13 and May 28. Meanwhile, former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market in Delhi last week for questioning related to an FIR filed against her for allegedly submitting forged certificates to clear her 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Speaking to ANI, Khedkar said, "As per the Supreme Court orders, I have come here to cooperate in the investigation. I said it since day one that in whatever way possible, I am ready to cooperate. All the allegations against me that I have submitted fake certificates are false. I have been and I will be in India - whatever people are saying that I have fled to another country is wrong." Earlier, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case as her counsel told the bench that a counter-affidavit had been filed on her behalf, but it was not showing on the court's record. The top court asked the Delhi police to complete the probe fast and asked why it was not completing the investigation when Khedkar herself had said it in an affidavit that she was willing to cooperate. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to secure a seat by taking the UPSC exam.
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Many ineligible candidates applying for Deputy Commandant recruitment: RPSC
Ajmer (Rajasthan) [India], May 14 (ANI): The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has found a significant number of ineligible candidates applying for the Deputy Commandant Recruitment, 2025, during a random scrutiny of applications, an official said. According to RPSC Secretary Ram Niwas Mehta, many applicants did not meet the essential eligibility criteria, yet they submitted their applications. In light of this, the Commission is preparing to initiate strict action against such ineligible candidates, he added. The recruitment body stated that such applicants have been asked to withdraw their applications between May 13 and May 28. Meanwhile, former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market in Delhi last week for questioning related to an FIR filed against her for allegedly submitting forged certificates to clear her 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Speaking to ANI, Khedkar said, 'As per the Supreme Court orders, I have come here to cooperate in the investigation. I said it since day one that in whatever way possible, I am ready to cooperate. All the allegations against me that I have submitted fake certificates are false. I have been and I will be in India - whatever people are saying that I have fled to another country is wrong.' Earlier, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case as her counsel told the bench that a counter-affidavit had been filed on her behalf, but it was not showing on the court's record. The top court asked the Delhi police to complete the probe fast and asked why it was not completing the investigation when Khedkar herself had said it in an affidavit that she was willing to cooperate. Khedkar is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to secure a seat by taking the UPSC exam. (ANI)
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar questioned by Crime Branch over fake certificates in UPSC exam
Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee, appeared before the Crime Branch for questioning regarding allegations of submitting forged certificates to clear the 2022 UPSC exam. She denied the accusations and asserted her cooperation with the investigation, refuting claims of fleeing the country. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee Puja Khedkar appeared before the Crime Branch at Kamla Market here on Friday for questioning related to an FIR filed against her for allegedly submitting forged certificates to clear her 2022 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to ANI, Khedkar said, "As per the Supreme Court orders, I have come here to cooperate in the investigation. I said it since day one that in whatever way possible, I am ready to cooperate. All the allegations against me that I have submitted fake certificates are false. I have been and I will be in India - whatever people are saying that I have fled to another country is wrong."Earlier, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case as her counsel told the bench that a counter-affidavit had been filed on her behalf, but it was not showing on the court's top court asked the Delhi police to complete the probe fast and asked why it was not completing the investigation when Khedkar herself had said it in an affidavit that she was willing to is accused of fraudulently availing a reservation meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to secure a seat by taking the UPSC exam The Delhi High Court while dismissing anticipatory bail plea had made strong observations against Khedkar saying that its a "classic example of fraud, not only with a Constitutional body but also with society and the nation as a whole."The High Court had emphasised that interrogation is necessary to uncover the conspiracy involved. The High Court had also highlighted that the father and mother held high-ranking positions, suggesting the possibility of collusion with influential is facing criminal charges filed by Delhi Police, accusing her of cheating and unlawfully claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the Civil Services Examination.
