Puja Khedkar's Mother Argues With Police At Her Home: WATCH
Puja Khedkar allegedly lied about her visual and mental abilities and her Other Backward Class (OBC) background.
The Pune police on Thursday reached the residence of trainee IAS Puja Khedkar, a 2023 IAS batch officer, who got embroiled in a controversy after she was transferred to Washim for misusing her power as a civil servant.
#BREAKING | पुणे में पूजा खेडकर के घर पहुंची पुलिसhttps://t.co/smwhXURgtc | @viveksemiliye #AbpNews #LatestNews #Pune #IAS #PoojaKhedkar pic.twitter.com/jPQxgiP2oB
— ABP News (@ABPNews) July 11, 2024
The police team had reached her house to question her after the controversy, where there was a minor clash between Puja Khedkar's mother and the police.
Puja Khedkar had used her private Audi sedan with a red-beacon and a VIP number plate, which a junior officer is not allowed to use and is against the rules.
The Pune Police had gone to her residence to check the car and take action, but no one opened the gate.
#WATCH | Pune Police Senior Officer, Shafeel Pathan says, "We came here to take action. We did not find the car. The gate is closed..." https://t.co/4G6jDNCkly pic.twitter.com/PhDgkJldkL
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2024
The probationary officer had also installed a 'Maharashtra government' board on her luxury private car.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar told news agency ANI: "Pune Police to verify/examine the Audi Car which was being used by Trainee IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar, under Motor Vehicles Act."
Centre on Thursday also formed a one-member committee to look into controversy involving probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, news agency PTI reported.
It is also said that she lied about her visual and mental abilities and her Other Backward Class (OBC) background. Puja Khedkar also allegedly used a senior IAS officer's cabin in his absence.
She made changes in IAS officer Ajay More's chamber without his consent and removed his furniture.
Besides this, Khedkar also demanded a nameplate, letterhead, royal seal, visiting cards, and an intercom.
The trainee IAS officer was supposed to join as an Assistant Collector in Pune on June 3. She had contacted an official, repeatedly demanding the perks including a separate office, house for herself, and a car, which she wanted before joining as Assistant Collector in Pune.
Stating her misconduct, Pune Collector Suhas Divase complained to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, following which she was transferred to Washim.
She has now been appointed as a 'supernumerary Assitant Collector' in Washim till July 30, 2025, where she will undergo the remaining probation period.
ALSO READ: 'Get Cabin, Vehicle Ready Before I Join': Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar's Chat Reveals Her Demands
"The 2023 batch IAS officer will serve the remaining period of her probation as Supernumerary Assistant Collector in Washim district," the order stated.
After her transfer, the previous allegations against her were flagged again by the AAP, which raised concerns over her appointment.
Despite her father's election affidavit showing an income of Rs 40 crore, Khedkar was selected from OBC non-creamy layer category.
Khedkar had also skipped medical examinations several times, even after admitting to being mentally ill and person with various diabilities.
ALSO READ: IAS Trainee, Who Used Red Beacon On Private Car And Demanded Separate Cabin, Transferred