In a dramatic turn of events, sacked IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has claimed in the Delhi High Court that she has yet to receive an official order cancelling her candidature from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Khedkar stated that she only learned of the cancellation through media reports.

Khedkar moved the Delhi High Court on Monday, challenging the UPSC’s decision to cancel her candidature. The case was heard by a bench headed by Justice Jyoti Singh.

Representing Khedkar, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising argued that the order cancelling her client’s candidature has not been formally communicated to her. “The strange thing about this case is that the order cancelling my candidature has not been handed over to me till date. All I have is the press release. The press release has to be quashed, they have to supply me the order so that I can approach the appropriate tribunal,” Jaising contended, emphasizing that the case is being “played out in the press.”

In response, Advocate Naresh Kaushik, representing UPSC, argued that the press release was issued because Khedkar’s whereabouts were unknown, and it served as an intimation. “The need for a press release was because her whereabouts are unknown. The press release is an intimation,” Kaushik stated.

UPSC assured the Delhi High Court that it would formally communicate the order cancelling Khedkar’s candidature within two days.

The Delhi High Court directed Khedkar to approach the Central Administrative Tribunal to challenge the cancellation of her candidature. The bench acknowledged the urgency of the matter but indicated that the appropriate forum for such a challenge is the tribunal.