Puja Khedkar, a controversial trainee IAS officer, continues to face trouble. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials have issued a notice of illegal encroachment at her residence. This development comes amidst an ongoing investigation into allegations of misuse of power and manipulation of benefits under the physical disabilities category and OBC quota.
Reports indicate that Khedkar could be terminated from service if found guilty. The Centre has constituted a single-member committee to re-examine all documents presented by her to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and subsequent selection. The committee, led by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Additional Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, has been given two weeks to submit its findings.
The controversy surrounding Khedkar stems from multiple allegations. As a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer currently on probation and posted in her home cadre, Maharashtra, she drew criticism for using a private Audi car with a red beacon and ‘Maharashtra Government’ inscription. Furthermore, she is accused of misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure her position in the IAS.
In light of these allegations, Khedkar was transferred from her Pune posting to the Washim District Collectorate in the Vidarbha region. This decision was made following a request by Pune district collector Suhas Diwase to the state additional chief secretary Nitin Gadre to consider a transfer to avoid “administrative complications”.
Adding to the ongoing scrutiny, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a notice to the private company registered as the owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar. The car also has 21 pending challans and a fine of ₹ 26,000.
Further allegations have emerged from Navi Mumbai police, who reported to the Maharashtra government that Khedkar allegedly attempted to pressure a DCP-rank officer to release a man detained in a theft case.
