The controversy surrounding trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar continues to intesify as the Pune police on Sunday confiscated her luxury car after she allegedly installed a red beacon light on it, which an officer of her rank is not entitled to use.
On Thursday, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued a notice to a city-based private company, the actual owner of the car, which Khedkar used during her posting in Pune, news agency PTI reported.
The notice was issued against the unauthorised use of a beacon and the name sign being used on a private vehicle.
As per officials, the address of the registered user was mentioned as Shivane village in Haveli taluka.
"The car now has been confiscated, its documents will be checked and we are probing the matter further," a senior police official told PTI on Sunday.
He also said that a jammer was put on the luxury car and barricades were installed around it.
Around 21 challans amounting to Rs 27,000 were issued against the Audi car in the past for alleged traffic violations. The officials said the fine was paid. The car was registered at the Pune RTO on June 27, 2012.
The probationary officer was caught in the eye of a storm after she stirred controversy by demanding a separate cabin and staff during her posting in Pune.
Amongst other allegations, she is also said to have misused the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota, in order to secure a position in the civil services.
Khedkar allegedly installed a red beacon light on the Audi car and even got 'Maharashtra Government' written on it without required permission.
Following this she was transferred from Pune to Washim district before the completion of her training after the complaint of Pune District collector Subhas Diwase.
Meanwhile, the single-member committee constituted by the Centre on Thursday is working to verify the candidature of the 2023-batch IAS officer, which is also in question.
Khedakr might be terminated from service if found guilty.
Show Cause Notice To Khedkar's Mother Over Gun Video
The Pune Comissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar issued a show cause notice to Puja Khedkar's mother Manorama Khedkar, NDTV reported.
This comes after an FIR was filed under the Arms Act against her for brandishing a gun at a farmer. The FIR was filed by Pune Rural Police on the basis of the complaint of the farmer, who alleged he was threatened by Manorama.
The show cause notice was issued to the probationary officer's mother on June 13 over the misuse of a licenced gun.
The notice states that Manorama Khedkar has to respond as to why her gun licence should not be cancelled. She has been asked to respond within 10 days.
In the notice, Manorama Khedkar has been asked to respond as to why her gun licence should not be cancelled. She has been directed to respond within 10 days.