In another significant development, Mr. Rafique Khan, the President of the Disabled Persons Association in Pune, petitioned Mr. Amitesh Kumar (1995-batch IPS officer), the incumbent Pune Police Commissioner, requesting legal action against probationary 2022-batch IAS officer Puja Khedkar for allegedly claiming central government job benefit by submitting a false disability certificate at the time of her Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) selection.
The petitioner stated, “The extent of manipulation of records and submission of fake OBC non-creamy layer certificate and disability certificate warrants investigation at the highest levels of the government. We demand that an inquiry be conducted as the probationary IAS officer has usurped the position of a genuine UPSC candidate in that category.”
Officer Khedkar has kicked up dirt across India, leading to her abrupt transfer to Washim district in central Maharashtra. She was posted as an assistant collector in Pune. She secured an All India Rank of 821 under the Physical Disability (PWD-5) category in the UPSC exams.
She has come under scrutiny for seeking special privileges and faking certificates. Activists are calling for a thorough investigation into her recruitment. In response, the Centre has formed a single-member committee, led by a senior officer at the Additional Secretary level, to verify her claims and details. The committee will submit its report within two weeks.
The controversy started after she was making VIP demands, including the use of her private Audi car fitted with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate, along with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board affixed to the vehicle. According to reports, Khedkar had also sought separate accommodation, a cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon even before officially joining her duties on June 3rd. However, authorities informed her that such privileges were not applicable during her probationary period, and that accommodation would be provided accordingly.
