Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar found herself in deeper trouble as fresh revelations surfaced regarding her conduct and certifications. Khedkar’s troubles escalated with the revelation that she obtained a disability certificate using fraudulent means. She reportedly submitted a ration card instead of a mandatory Aadhaar card as proof of address to secure the certificate, listing an address linked to Thermoverita Engineering Private Limited, a defunct company. Her private Audi car was also registered with the same address. Questions also surround the authenticity of her disability claim, which states a mere 7% disability, significantly below the 40% threshold required in government qualifications.
The controversy not only deepened with Khedkar submitting a ration card instead of the mandatory Aadhaar card but also declaring an income of Rs 5 lakh. The State Disabled Commissioner intervened in the matter, urging investigations into the legitimacy of Khedkar’s disability claims.
Moreover, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has now turned its attention to her father, Dilip Khedkar, amid suspicions of acquiring substantial unaccounted wealth. This development follows an earlier police notice issued to Khedkar’s mother in connection with a case involving alleged threats to farmers with a pistol. The Maharashtra ACB forwarded a detailed report on Dilip Khedkar’s allegedly amassed properties worth crores through illicit means to senior officials, following a complaint against him. This development adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny faced by the Khedkar family.
Puja Khedkar’s recent complaints against Pune District Magistrate Suhas Diwas for harassment, which she filed at the Washim police station, have further complicated her situation. These incidents have prompted the government to defer her district training program and instructed her to return to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration pending further actions.
Investigations are also underway regarding Khedkar’s eligibility for IAS, focusing on her disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates. Additionally, her conduct during her tenure at the Pune Collector’s Office is under review.
The unfolding saga underscores growing concerns over the veracity of Khedkar’s credentials and conduct, casting a shadow over her career prospects in the civil services.
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