Scandal in Civil Service: IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar at the center of controversy

Puja Khedkar, an IAS probationary officer currently under scrutiny, finds herself in the midst of controversy following serious allegations regarding her selection process and subsequent actions during her tenure. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired bureaucrat from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), has vehemently defended her, asserting that accusations against her are part of a conspiracy targeting their family.

Dilip Khedkar responded to allegations that his daughter used a fake disability certificate to secure her position. He clarified, “Puja suffers from vision impairment, which is more than 40 percent, fulfilling the required criteria for disability.” He insisted that medical experts had verified her disabilities prior to the issuance of the certificate, including a “certain category of mental illness.”

The situation escalated with the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Puja’s parents, Dilip and Manorama Khedkar, accused of threatening local farmers with a firearm. This FIR, reported by senior police inspector Manoj Yadav at Paud Police Station in Pune, includes charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.

Public attention was drawn to the case after a viral video surfaced, showing Manorama Khedkar in a heated altercation, wielding a gun. The incident has led to further investigations, including the seizure of a luxury Audi car used by Puja Khedkar, which was impounded by Pune police following a notice from the Regional Transport Office about unauthorized use of a beacon and name sign on the vehicle.

This series of events has sparked widespread debate and outrage regarding the integrity of India’s civil services. Questions are being raised about the efficacy and transparency of the UPSC, the constitutional body responsible for recruiting officers to the All India Services.

The unfolding controversy not only highlights potential vulnerabilities in the civil services recruitment process but also underscores the challenges in maintaining transparency and accountability within such revered institutions.