Puja Khedkar Missing? Here's What Has Happened Since UPSC Filed A Case Against Trainee IAS Officer

IAS trainee Puja Khedekar has semingly gone 'missing' after failing to report for training and disregarding police summons. She faces an arrest in a case filed by the UPSC.

The controversy around IAS trainee Puja Khedekar has got a fresh twist as she has apparently gone 'missing'. She has been missing for the last five days. Puja Khedekar did not even reach the UPSC training centre in Mussoorie on July 23 as she was slated to. As per sources, she is not in Pune either. Her phone is switched off as well.

The Pune Police issued a second summons, but Puja is not traceable. Her mother Manorama is currently in judicial custody in an Arms Act case. Her father Dilip's interim bail relief hearing will be held on July 25

In the latest development in the Puja Khedkar controversy, it has been alleged that she falsified documents to get a disability certificate. Now, the doctors at the YCM Hospital In Pune, who issued her disability certificate, are under investigation.

Puja Khedkar's String Of  Controversies

Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, found herself in a controversy after demanding VIP treatment for herself. She allegedly sought a personal accommodation with staff and a car. These privileges are not allotted to junior IAS officers.

The UPSC has also registered a police complaint against Puja Khedkar, seeking criminal proceedings against her. Khedkar has also been barred from appearing in any future exam. With the FIR registered, Puja is staring at imminent arrest.

Puja was earlier removed from the Maharashtra cadre and asked to join the Mussoorie Training Academy. However, after Puja left the charge of the Additional Collector of Washim and left the district, she became untraceable.

Puja had to appear in two places — Mussoorie Training Academy on July 23 and before the Pune Police. The cops had summoned her to record her statement in the case of misuse of official power. But even after two summons, Puja did not appear before Pune police.

Where Is Puja Khedkar?

Puja appears to have gone untraceable between the Washim-Ahmednagar Highway and Pune. Police said that Puja's phone is switched off. A second copy of the summons has been sent to her WhatsApp number. Sources said Puja is planning to apply for anticipatory bail to avoid arrest in the Delhi Police's FIR on UPSC's complaint. 

Puja's mother Manorama Khedkar is in judicial custody for 14 days in an Arms Act Case. Her father Dilip Khedkar has got interim relief till July 25 in a disproportionate assets case. After that, he will have to appear before the police and the court again.