Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer involved in a scandal involving purported quota abuse and power abuse, is coming under more investigation as new discoveries over her misuse of power are coming to light.
Having declared herself to be from the non-creamy layer of OBC and cited her visual and mental disabilities, Khedkar, a 34-year-old IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, passed the UPSC civil service exam under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories.
Where is Puja Khedkar?
The training for probationary officer Puja Khedkar has been suspended for the time being. She has been called to return to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, where further actions shall be taken.
UPSC has also filed an FIR against her for hiding information information while filing for her candidacy for the civil services. The commission has also sent a notice to her regarding the canceling of her candidature.
Earlier, Puja Khedkar was transferred to Washim district after the accusations on her became of serious kind, such as using false disability certificate, and caste certificates in order to use reservation in the civil sevices.
Let’s check the timeline of Puja Khedkar’s allegedly abuse of quota and misuse of power by following the events as unfolded.
Puja Khedkar Joins Pune District Collector’s Office
Puja Khedkar started her training on June 3 after joining the Pune district collector's office. The training is expected to last until July 30, 2025.
Pune Collector Sends a Complaint
Suhar Diwase, Pune Collector sends a comprehensive report to Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on June 24, regarding Puja's actions in requesting special privileges.
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Puja Gets Transferred to Washim
Mahrashtra state government finally takes action on Puja Khedkar on July 8 and transfers her to Washim District’s Collecor office. She was to complete the remaining days of her training there.
The general administration department of the state orders Diwase to start the process for legal action against Puja’s father, Dilip Khedkar for ‘objectionable conduct’ at his daughter’s workplace.
Puja’s Non-creamy OBC Certificate in Question
On July 11, Atul Save, the state minister of OBC welfare, declares a suo motu investigation over Puja's claim that she is an OBC non-creamy layer member. A one-person committee is formed by the central government in order to verify the information submitted by Puja as a UPSC candidate.
The committee has to submit the report until July 25. Sujata Saunik, the state chief secretary, drafts an extensive report on Puja and sends it to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), located in Mussoorie, for review.
Puja Khedkar is Called Back to LBSNAA
Puja Khedkar's probationary training as an IAS officer was suspended on July 16 with immediate effect. Khedkar is instructed to promptly return to LBSNAA in Mussoorie.
UPSC Takes Action Against Puja
In a very recent development, UPSC has finally taken action against the suspended IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The commission has filed an FIR against her for hiding important information while joining the service. A notice has also been sent to her for canceling her candidature.
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