IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Faces Inquiry Over Misuse of Beacon Light and VIP Number Plate

The Pune police are investigating IAS officer Puja Khedkar for allegedly using a red-blue beacon light and 'Maharashtra Government' designation on her private car. Transferred to Washim district, she faces further accusations of using fake certificates for her civil services exam. Numerous violations have been linked to her Audi car.

The Pune police will conduct a thorough inquiry and take necessary action over the unauthorized use of a red-blue beacon light and 'Maharashtra Government' insignia on the private car of controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar, an official announced on Thursday. Khedkar's Audi car was registered under a private company and previously issued several challans, the official noted.

The 32-year-old probationary IAS officer was transferred from Pune to Washim district in Vidarbha before completing her training, following controversies over demands like a separate cabin and staff. Khedkar assumed her new role as assistant collector at the Washim district collectorate on Thursday. Allegations have also surfaced suggesting she submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to pass her civil services exam. When Pune police visited Khedkar's bungalow in the Pashan area of Pune on Thursday to investigate the violations, they found the gates locked.

According to a senior Pune police official, action will be taken regarding the alleged violations related to the Audi car under the Motor Vehicles Act. 'A thorough inquiry will be conducted into the matter, as a red-blue beacon light and 'Maharashtra Shasan' nameplate were placed on her private vehicle. We are also examining past violations linked to this car,' he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)