New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a notice to cancel the selection of Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer, amidst serious allegations of fraud. The 23-year-old is accused of lying about visual and mental disabilities, falsifying her identity, and exceeding the permissible number of attempts for the Civil Services entrance exam.
In a notification issued on Friday afternoon, the UPSC stated that Ms. Khedkar “fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit” and highlighted that the Commission has “initiated a series of actions against” her. These actions include charges filed by the Delhi Police, covering forgery under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and IT Act. The UPSC has also sent a show-cause notice to Ms. Khedkar, demanding an explanation for why her candidature should not be canceled. Depending on her response, further actions could be taken, including disbarring her from future examinations.
The UPSC emphasized its commitment to maintaining trust and credibility in its processes, stating, “… the UPSC stringently adheres to its Constitutional mandate and conducts all its processes, including all examinations, with the highest possible order of due diligence without any compromise.”
IAS trainee under scrutiny for production of fake disability certificate abused her powers, secured perks like the siren on private car
Ms. Khedkar, who was initially posted in Pune as an Assistant Collector and later transferred to Washim, is also under scrutiny for allegedly abusing her power. Reports indicate she secured perks such as a siren on her private car, which are unavailable to probationary staff. Following these revelations, further allegations emerged that she used fake disability certificates to qualify for the IAS, despite a modest all-India rank of 841 in the entrance test. A comprehensive report by the Maharashtra government, submitted to the Department of Personnel and Training, has collated documents from various sources to investigate Ms. Khedkar’s claims, including her physical disability and OBC (Other Backward Class) status.
The report also includes allegations of her attempting to secure fake disability certificates, initially approaching a hospital in Pune, which rejected her, and then succeeding at another hospital in Pipri, diagnosing her with an “old ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear with left knee instability.”
Khedkar counters accusations, lodges harassment complaints against Pune Collector
Ms. Khedkar has countered the accusations by filing a harassment complaint against the Pune Collector, Suhas Divase. She lodged this complaint late at night from her residence in Washim, summoning three female police officers. Mr. Divase has denied the charges and has not received a copy of the complaint. His office had previously released a report with screenshots of WhatsApp chats, allegedly showing Ms. Khedkar seeking details about perks not available to probationary staff.
Parents under investigation
The controversy has also embroiled Ms. Khedkar’s parents in legal issues. Her mother, Manorama Khedkar, has been charged with attempted murder after a video of her brandishing a gun went viral. She is currently in police custody. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, is under investigation by Pune’s Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his income. A retired state government officer, he had been suspended twice on corruption charges and is currently on the run.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
