Puja Khedkar Case: UPSC Files FIR Against Trainee IAS, Seeks Cancellation Of Candidature
Trouble seems to be mounting for IAS probationer Puja Khedkar with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) initiating criminal proceedings against her. In a statement, UPSC on Friday said it has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the controversial bureaucrat and also served a Show Cause Notice (SCN) for the cancellation of her candidature from the Civil Services Exam-2022.
Khedkar has also been debarred from appearing for any future exams. The 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was accused of misusing power and privileges during her training in Pune recently.
The Commission said it has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation into the misdemeanour of Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination 2022.
It said that its investigation has revealed that Khedkar fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the examination rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, her photograph/signature, her email ID, mobile number, and address.
“The UPSC has, therefore, initiated a series of actions against her, including criminal prosecution by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police authorities and has issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) for cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination-2022/debarment from future examinations/ selections, in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Services Examination-2022,” it said.
After a week-long probe, the Maharashtra government on Thursday also submitted its probe report on the allegations leveled against Khedkar to the Central government. In its report to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), the state government’s general administrative department (GAD) mentioned the indecent behaviour of the 34-year-old Maharashtra cadre officer at the Pune Collectorate where she was posted.
Khedkar came under the scanner after she was seen using a siren on her private Audi and raising demands for a separate house and car – privileges not available to junior officers.
Later, questions were raised over her claim of OBC status and disabilities to avail of concessions in the UPSC selection process. Khedkar had refused to undergo mandatory medical tests to confirm the disabilities.
