Controversy Halts Puja Khedkar's IAS Training In Maharashtra

Puja Khedkar has been instructed to return to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) by July 23. She is currently under scrutiny for allegedly falsifying her disability status on her UPSC exam form.

The LBSNAA, in a letter dated July 16, announced that it has suspended Puja Khedkar's District Training Program and issued an immediate recall for further necessary action. Khedkar, who serves as the Super Numerary Assistant Collector in Washim, Maharashtra, has been relieved from her training duties and must report back to the Academy by July 23.

Allegations and Investigation

Khedkar's selection into the civil services has sparked controversy due to allegations of misusing disability and Other Backward Class quotas. She is accused of forging disability certificates to clear the Civil Services examination. Last week, the Centre formed a single-member committee to verify her candidature.

The controversy began when Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer from Maharashtra, allegedly requested special privileges from the Pune Collector's office that were not permitted for her designation. This led to her transfer from Pune to Washim by the Maharashtra government.

Details of Allegations

Further investigation revealed that Khedkar claimed visual impairment and mental illness in her affidavit submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to avail special concessions during her selection process. Despite scoring low marks in the examination, these concessions enabled her to secure an All India Rank (AIR) of 821. The authenticity of the certificates she submitted is currently under probe.

Khedkar has stated she will address all allegations before the committee. "This is a media trial, and people are watching. The truth will eventually come out. According to the Indian Constitution, a person cannot be considered guilty until the charges are proven," she said.

Family's Defense

Her father, Dilip Khedkar, also defended her against these allegations. "My daughter has not done anything wrong. Is a woman asking for a space to sit wrong? The matter is subjudice and a committee has been appointed to look into it. Let us all wait for the final verdict. All I can say is that someone is deliberately trying to make it an issue," he said.

Dilip Khedkar, a retired administrative officer himself, allegedly pressured the District Collector's office to meet his daughter's demands, threatening consequences if they were not met.

Police Involvement

Meanwhile, Pune Police visited Puja Khedkar's house on Monday regarding a case against her mother for threatening farmers with a pistol. Authorities stated that the family is on the run and have formed three probe teams to trace them.

The situation remains tense as investigations continue into both Puja Khedkar's alleged misuse of quotas and her family's legal troubles. The outcome of these probes will determine any further actions against them.