Controversy Surrounds Trainee IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar Over Alleged Misuse of Authority

Trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar faces scrutiny after being accused of misuse of power. Central government forms a panel to investigate. Khedkar commits to following procedures and submitting to the committee.

A day after the central government established a panel to investigate the candidature of trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, who faces allegations of misuse of authority, she stated that she would comply with the procedures and present her submissions to the committee. Speaking to media, Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer commented, 'I am not authorized to say anything to the media. I will give my submissions before the committee. I will follow the procedure.'

The central government, on Thursday, instituted a single-member committee to verify Khedkar's candidacy claims and other details, amid controversy over her supposed misuse of power. The Ministry of Personnel announced that the committee, led by an officer of Additional Secretary rank, is expected to submit its report in two weeks.

'The Central Government has formed a single-member committee, chaired by a senior officer at the Additional Secretary level, to scrutinize the candidature claims and other details of IAS Puja Manorma Dilip Khedkar, a Civil Services Examination 2022 candidate,' the Ministry of Personnel stated. In addition, the Pune Municipal Corporation may act against unauthorized encroachments near Khedkar's family bungalow.

Secured with an AIR of 841 in the UPSC exam, Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, sparked controversy by using her private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate, and demanding facilities not allotted to probationary officers. A report by Pune collector Suhas Diwse noted her repeated demands for a separate cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon, which were denied.

Khedkar also faced accusations of removing a senior official's nameplate at the Pune collector's office and allegedly submitting falsified disability and OBC certificates to clear the civil services exam. Reports suggest she had also furnished a mental illness certificate. In April 2022, she was directed to undergo a verification of her disability certificate at AIIMS, Delhi, but did not comply, citing a COVID-19 infection.

(With inputs from agencies.)