IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Faces Investigation Over Allegations

IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who was transferred to Washim from Pune, is currently under investigation following multiple allegations against her. Khedkar has refused to comment on the matter, stating she is not authorized to speak on it.

On Thursday, the central government formed a single-member committee to verify her candidature claims and other details. The committee, chaired by a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary, will submit its report in two weeks.

Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 841 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. She sparked controversy by using a private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate, and demanding facilities not available to probationary officers.

According to a report by Pune collector Suhas Diwse, Khedkar demanded a separate cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon before joining duty as a trainee on June 3, but her claims were denied. She is also accused of removing the nameplate of a senior official at the Pune collector’s office.

Additionally, Khedkar allegedly submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam. Reports claim she also submitted a mental illness certificate and did not report to AIIMS, Delhi, for verification of her disability certificate, citing Covid infection.

The Pune Municipal Corporation is likely to take action against illegal encroachment on the footpath outside Khedkar’s family bungalow, with bulldozers seen on standby near the bungalow.