Trouble Mounts For Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar; Centre Initiates Probe Against Her

Trouble escalated for trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar after the central government has initiated a probe against her.

Khedkar has found herself in the eye of the storm over her alleged misuse of authority and discrepancies in her UPSC application.

Khedkar was criticised for using a siren on her private vehicle and demanding privileges such as a separate residence and vehicle, which are not typical for junior officers.

However, the 2023-batch IAS officer now confronts more severe allegations, casting doubts on her selection into the civil services.

Manoj Dwivedi, additional secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), has launched an investigation expected to conclude within two weeks.

Sources indicate she could face dismissal if found guilty, and potential criminal charges if accusations of concealing facts and misrepresentation are substantiated.

When approached by the media, Khedkar declined to comment on the accusations, citing lack of authorization to discuss the matter.

Khedkar, previously posted as an assistant collector in Pune, was transferred to Washim after the Pune Collector filed a complaint with the state Chief Secretary.

Action against the trainee IAS officer was initiated after she used a siren and a “Government of Maharashtra” sticker on her private luxury car, and occupied the office of Pune’s Additional Collector, Ajay More, in his absence.

Reportedly she also rearranged the furniture More’s office and also demanded office supplies and a VIP number plate, privileges not accorded to junior officers during their probationary period.

Questions have also been raised over her claim of Other Backward Classes (OBC) status.

Meanwhile, adding to the controversy, an old video has surfaced online showing her mother allegedly brandishing a gun while confronting a group of men.