The Maharashtra Government has officially submitted a comprehensive probe report to the Centre concerning trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is under scrutiny for alleged misuse of power and discrepancies in her UPSC candidature claims.
The report, compiled by the State’s General Administration Department under Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Garade, was delivered to the Department of Personnel & Training pr DoPT following a week-long investigation. A copy has also been sent to a one-member committee formed by the Central Government.
DoPT Additional Secretary Manoj Dwivedi has been tasked with concluding the investigation within two weeks. The report includes various documents from different agencies aimed at verifying the accuracy of Khedkar’s claims made during her civil service examination process.
Central to the controversy are allegations concerning Khedkar’s assertion of Other Backward Classes (OBC) status and disability claims. She reportedly did not comply with mandatory medical evaluations required to substantiate her disability claims. Further scrutiny revealed potential discrepancies regarding her OBC status, given that her father, Dilip Khedkar, a former civil servant, reportedly possesses assets valued at ₹40 crore.
The scandal first gained attention when Khedkar was observed using a siren on her personal Audi and demanding privileges typically not granted to junior officers. The report also details her inappropriate behaviour at the Pune Collectorate, including the installation of an amber beacon and State Government logo on her private vehicle, and disputes with senior officials over car usage.
Additionally, Khedkar’s tenure in Pune, where she allegedly occupied the cabin of Additional Collector Ajay More and utilised her personal vehicle for official duties, has been questioned. She has been transferred from Pune to Washim amidst these serious allegations.
Khedkar, who had ranked 841 in the all-India UPSC exam, faced a legal challenge to her selection, resulting in a tribunal ruling against her in February 2023. She has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, where her training has been suspended. The General Administration Department has directed her to join the academy by July 23.
If found guilty of the charges, Khedkar may face dismissal and potential criminal action for alleged misrepresentation and concealment of facts.
