An internal inquiry led by Dr. Rajendra Wable, Dean of Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH), has found no evidence of wrongdoing in the issuance of a disability certificate to probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The investigation was prompted by concerns raised by the district collector about the validity of the certificate, which designated Khedkar as having a 7 per cent disability.
Dr. Wable confirmed that the hospital followed standard procedures in issuing the certificate and found no misconduct or errors by the hospital staff. He noted that the 7 per cent disability certification does not meet the 40 per cent benchmark required for eligibility for specific educational or employment benefits.
The investigation also addressed allegations that Khedkar had submitted fraudulent documents, including a fake ration card and potentially falsified Aadhaar card. Dr. Wable clarified that the hospital’s role did not include verifying the authenticity of such documents, which falls outside the hospital’s responsibilities.
The controversy surrounding Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, has intensified with accusations of misuse of disability and caste certificates to gain advantages in civil service examinations. Additionally, Khedkar is facing charges from the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch for allegedly providing false information to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to obtain additional attempts at the civil service exams.
Further examination of Khedkar’s documents is ongoing, led by a single-member committee appointed by the Central government. The officer’s conduct has come under scrutiny following her recent transfer from Pune to Washim district amid allegations of misconduct during her probation, including misuse of a private car with a beacon light and requesting facilities beyond her entitlements.
The unfolding situation continues to attract public attention and scrutiny, with further developments anticipated as investigations progress.
