What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Her higher entrance exam score meant her Common Entrance Test (CET) marks were not considered. She had a solid academic background with an 83% score in Class 10 and 74% in Class 12.
PUNE: Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar is once again in the spotlight following fresh allegations of misuse of power and the OBC non-creamy layer quota. Khedkar, who joined the 2023 batch of the IAS, had secured admission for MBBS at Pune’s Kashibai Navale Medical College in 2007 under the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 category, reserved for the Vanjari community.
Khedkar’s admission to the college was based on her score of 146/200 in the entrance examination. Her higher entrance exam score meant her Common Entrance Test (CET) marks were not considered. She had a solid academic background with an 83% score in Class 10 and 74% in Class 12.
ALSO READ: FIR filed against individual for lewd comments on Martyr’s widow
Her father, Dilip Khedkar, was an IAS officer in the Maharashtra government when she secured admission under the OBC non-creamy layer category for the 2011-12 batch. However, documents accessed by India Today revealed that her family’s wealth is around Rs 60 crore, raising questions about her eligibility for the quota.
In recent developments, Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim amid allegations of misuse of power. According to a report by the Pune District Collector, she demanded a separate cabin, official residence, vehicle, and support staff before taking charge as the Assistant Collector in Pune. It is alleged that she pressured Collectorate officials to ensure these facilities were provided before her joining.
Khedkar’s visual impairment claim for her UPSC recruitment is also under scrutiny. She reportedly skipped mandated medical tests from AIIMS multiple times, and an MRI report from a private facility was accepted instead.
ALSO READ: MHA empowers J&K LG, CS on Admin Secy’s transfers Pre-election
In another controversy, Khedkar’s private Audi was seized by Pune traffic police for using unauthorised red and blue beacon lights and a ‘Maharashtra government’ signage. “A notice was issued against the unauthorized use of a beacon and name sign on the private sedan Khedkar had been using,” said a senior police official. The Audi, registered at the Pune RTO in June 2012, had 21 challans amounting to Rs 27,000 for traffic violations.
Moreover, Khedkar has been accused of interfering in police matters, allegedly pressuring a DCP-rank officer to release an individual arrested in a theft case. Following these allegations, the Centre has constituted a single-member committee to investigate the claims against her. This committee, led by an additional secretary-rank officer, will verify her candidature and other details.
As the investigation proceeds, the Centre has stated that Khedkar could be terminated from service if found guilty.
