Pooja Khedkar, a controversial trainee Indian Administrative Officer (IAS) officer, accused of falsifying disability certificates to pass the civil services exam has been asked to record her statement on Thursday in connection with the harassment complaint filed by her against the Pune district collector. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed to PTI that Khedkar has been asked to come to Pune to give her statement.

Pune district collector Suhas Diwase told PTI, "I am not aware of any such complaint against me. No one has communicated this to me, so there is no question of responding. I only learned about this complaint through media reports."

Another official noted that Pune Police served Khedkar with a request to record her statement at her temporary residence in Washim on Wednesday.

Khedkar is currently under investigation for issues related to her disability and OBC certificates used to qualify for the IAS, as well as her conduct during her time at the Pune collector's office. She was transferred to Washim as a supernumerary assistant collector after Diwase reported her behaviour to senior officials. Allegations against her include requesting facilities she was not entitled to as a trainee IAS official and occupying a senior official’s ante-chamber.

Women police officers visited Khedkar at her Washim residence on Monday, where she filed a harassment complaint against Diwase. This complaint has been forwarded to Pune Police for further action.

Amid the controversy, the government has suspended Khedkar’s 'district training program' and summoned her back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration for "necessary action."

Last week, the Union government established a single-member committee to "verify Khedkar's candidature" and submit a report within two weeks.

Pooja Khedkar made headlines after being accused of falsifying disability certificates to pass the civil services exam. This controversy highlighted the Khedkar family, including a viral video of Pooja's mother, Manorama, wielding a gun at a farmer. Additionally, the considerable wealth accumulated by Dilip Khedkar, Pooja’s father and a retired government officer, was also scrutinised.

(With Inputs From Agency)