Puja Khedkar’s Whereabouts Unknown, Misses Deadline To Report At IAS Training Academy

Puja Khedkar Controversy: Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer embroiled in controversy over allegations of submitting fraudulent disability and caste certificates, did not report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie by the required deadline on Tuesday, 23 July. Khedkar’s training was halted following allegations of submitting fake disability and other certificates to secure her selection.

Khedkar, who is part of the 2023 IAS batch has been missing for the past five days following an FIR filed by the Delhi Police against her. She faces serious accusations, including misuse of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas.

"UPSC has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar for misrepresenting and falsifying facts to obtain extra attempts in the UPSC examinations, beyond the prescribed limit. Consequently, a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the law, and investigation has been taken up in the Crime Branch," Delhi Police have said.

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Following the emergence of controversy surrounding her selection, The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) instructed the Maharashtra government to relieve Khedkar from her district training and ensure her return to the academy for further action. The letter from DoPT said that Khedkar must report to LBSNAA by July 23 under any circumstances.

"It has been decided that district training of Puja Khedkar, IAS 2023 batch, be kept on hold, and she be immediately recalled to the Academy for further necessary action. The state government is requested to relieve the probationer immediately and advise her to join the academy at the earliest, not later than July 23 under any circumstances," the letter read.

Earlier this month, Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim district due to complaints of misconduct. These complaints included the use of a private car with a beacon light during her probation and requests for privileges such as a separate office, an official vehicle, and staff, which are not provided to probationary officers.

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Investigations are underway into the issuance of her disability certificate. Orders have been issued to examine the doctors and assistants involved, including those from YCM Hospital, which issued a disability certificate claiming Khedkar had a 7 percent permanent disability in her left knee. The Commissionerate for Disabled Welfare has directed the Pimpri Municipal Corporation's medical department to review the committee that certified Khedkar's disability.