Mr. Dilip Khedkar, the father of recently discharged IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, is preparing to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections for the Ahmednagar South constituency. However, his marital status listed in his nomination papers has sparked controversy.
In his latest affidavit, Mr. Khedkar identifies as “divorced,” a claim that contradicts his previous affidavit from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he stated he was married to Manorama Khedkar. He referred to her as his wife and mentioned their jointly owned properties, describing their household as an “undivided Hindu family.” For context, Dilip Khedkar previously contested the 2024 general elections from the Ahmednagar constituency under the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi party but was unsuccessful.
Recent documents reveal that Dilip and Manorama filed for mutual consent divorce in Pune’s family court in 2009, with their separation finalized on June 25th, 2010. Despite the divorce, the couple reportedly continued to live together in a bungalow in Pune’s Baner area, which is owned by Manorama.
In August, police filed a case against Dilip Khedkar for allegedly threatening and obstructing a public servant during the performance of their duties.
Who is Puja Khedkar?
Ms. Puja Khedkar, a 2022 batch ex-IAS officer under training, became a subject of intense discourse over the internet and national television after allegations arose that she had lied about her mental and visual condition, through “fraudulently” obtained certificates from the District Civil Hospital in Ahmednagar, to secure an officer’s post despite an unremarkable score in the ultra-competitive qualifying exam. Khedkar was “diagnosed” with Locomotor Disability and a 7% permanent disability concerning her left lower limb. She also obtained a second certificate, which covered both low vision and mental illness (depression).
The conundrum was fueled when it was learned that Khedkar, while going through the selection process for an IAS post, had refused to undergo a mandatory medical test to confirm her disabilities six times in a row! It is pertinent to mention that she secured an All India Rank of 821 under the Physical Disability (PWD-5) category in the 2022 UPSC exams.
The entire fiasco unfurled after she made demands for a separate cabin and staff during her Pune posting. She demanded a red-blue beacon light, a VIP number plate, along with a ‘Maharashtra government’ board affixed to her private Audi car and other shenanigans while being posted as the Super Numerary Assistant Collector in Pune. The Centre, vide order dated September 6th, 2024, discharged Ms. Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service under Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, with immediate effect.
