IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Controversy Allegations of Fraud and Misconduct During Probationary Period

 

 IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Controversy Allegations of Fraud and Misconduct During Probationary Period

Puja Khedkar, a 2022 IAS batch Officer, recently became embroiled in a significant Controversy involving allegations of misconduct, misuse of Her position, and suspicions regarding Her eligibility criteria for the IAS exam. This Controversy, widely covered in Indian media, has raised questions about the criteria and enforcement mechanisms within India’s civil service recruitment processes.

Background and Career Journey

Puja Khedkar’s journey to the IAS is a long one. She took the UPSC Civil Services exam multiple times, joining the IAS in 2022 under the PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) category. Before Her IAS appointment, Khedkar was initially placed in the Indian Revenue Service in 2020 but could not assume the role due to procedural challenges. Following anotHer attempt, she was selected for a Sports Authority of India (SAI) posting as an Assistant Director before reappearing in the IAS exam, wHere she secured a spot under the PwBD category. However, after Her IAS selection, issues arose around Her claims of both mental illness and vision impairment, which she cited as Her qualifying disability factors.

Medical Examination Controversy

Khedkar’s admission into the IAS under the disability category sparked concerns regarding Her medical qualifications for the post. As per the regulations, candidates under the PwBD category must undergo thorough medical examinations to validate their disabilities. However, Khedkar reportedly missed multiple medical appointments organized by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) across various hospitals, including AIIMS and Safdarjung. Initially, she claimed that Her absence was due to contracting COVID-19. In subsequent instances, she cited claustrophobia as a reason for not attending MRI tests intended to assess Her vision impairment.

The repeated absences led the DoPT to contemplate canceling Her candidacy, a decision she challenged in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). CAT dismissed Her appeal, but she pursued Her Case with the Bombay High Court, which granted Her anotHer opportunity to complete the required medical examination. Her lawyer defended Her on grounds of genuine medical issues, arguing that alternative tests could assess Her disability. Eventually, she was cleared, albeit after considerable delays and public scrutiny​

 

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Allegations of Fraudulent OBC Certificate and Financial Claims

AnotHer aspect of the Controversy stems from Khedkar’s use of an OBC non-creamy layer certificate. Candidates under the OBC non-creamy layer category must meet certain financial conditions, including having an annual family income below ₹8 lakh. Khedkar, however, is reported to come from a well-established family background. Her fatHer, Dilip Khedkar, a retired bureaucrat, holds substantial assets, with some reports estimating his net worth at over ₹40 crore. He is also politically active, having contested for the Lok Sabha on behalf of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. These revelations stand in stark contrast to Khedkar’s claims of financial hardship.

In a mock interview that resurfaced, Khedkar allegedly mentioned Her family’s limited income and asserted that she was estranged from Her parents. However, this claim was contradicted by frequent visits from Her fatHer during Her probationary period, drawing furtHer suspicion about the legitimacy of Her reservation claims and Her financial status​

 

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Allegations of Misconduct and Abuse of Power During Probation

Once assigned to the Pune Collectorate as an assistant collector on probation, Khedkar’s behavior reportedly raised concerns among Her colleagues. Reports suggest that she adopted a domineering and high-handed approach with Her subordinates. In one instance, she allegedly occupied an Office designated for a senior Officer without permission, raising tensions among Her colleagues. Additionally, she used an unauthorized amber beacon on Her personal vehicle, a privilege typically reserved for senior officials.

The Controversy intensified when Her fatHer allegedly intervened directly. In a reported altercation, he threatened a tehsildar, accusing the Office of harassing his daughter and implying that repercussions would follow. This incident prompted Suhas Diwase, Pune’s district collector, to file a 25-page report detailing Khedkar’s alleged misconduct and Her fatHer’s interference. Consequently, Khedkar was transferred to Washim district, Vidarbha, signaling disciplinary action in light of these events​

Public and Administrative Reactions

The unfolding of Khedkar’s Case has ignited public debate over the transparency and enforcement of eligibility criteria for civil services, especially in regard to disability and reservation claims. The IAS selection process is designed to be stringent, ensuring that only those who genuinely qualify under specific categories are selected. Allegations of candidates exploiting these criteria through misrepresentation undermine the integrity of the system and can create distrust among aspiring candidates and the public.

FurtHermore, the incident has raised calls for stricter verification processes, particularly in Cases wHere medical and financial conditions are used as qualifiers. Public officials have also voiced concerns about the disciplinary standards during probation periods, as probation is a critical phase wHere Officers are assessed for their suitability for lifelong roles within the civil service.

 

Puja Khedkar’s Case is emblematic of the broader challenges that India’s administrative systems face in enforcing fair and transparent recruitment processes. Allegations against Her regarding financial misrepresentation, misuse of disability status, and inappropriate conduct highlight the need for stronger oversight mechanisms in government recruitment and clearer protocols for probationary behavior. As the investigation continues, this Case may lead to changes in policy that could reinforce the fairness and rigor of India’s civil services selection process, restoring confidence in one of the country’s most prestigious career paths.

The outcome of Khedkar’s Case will likely set an important precedent for accountability within the civil services, illustrating the critical importance of ethics and integrity for those who hold the responsibility of public service.

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