IAS trainee Puja Khedkar — India’s most controversial trainee bureaucrat these days — who was ordered to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) by July 23, did not appear on the required date and Ms Khedkar has been missing since an FIR was filed against her in Delhi.
Following the allegations, Khedkar reportedly left her post in Maharashtra’s Washim, where she had been serving during her probation. Her failure to report to LBSNAA has raised further concerns.
The case has garnered significant attention, and further developments are awaited as the investigation progresses.
Last week, a criminal case was registered against Khedkar following a thorough investigation by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). T
The investigation revealed allegations of misconduct, including misrepresentation and falsification of facts to obtain extra attempts at the civil services examination.
Khedkar is accused of manipulating her identity and exceeding the permissible number of attempts for the UPSC exams. She allegedly altered her name, her parents’ names, photograph, signature, contact details, and address to appear for the exams multiple times.
Misuse of official privileges expose Khedkar
Khedkar is also accused of bullying those around her and using a private Audi car with a red-blue beacon and 'Maharashtra Government' written on it during her probation period, a privilege reserved for high-ranking officials.
UPSC actions
The UPSC has issued a show-cause notice regarding the cancellation of her candidature for the 2022 examination and is considering barring her from future exams.
The commission has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, resulting in a case being registered under sections related to forgery, cheating, and misuse of the disability quota.
The Centre formed a single-member probe committee on July 11 to investigate the misuse of disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas. Additionally, the Pune Collector’s Office has directed an investigation into allegations of fraudulent disability certificates, potentially implicating doctors and assistants involved in issuing false certificates.
Ranking and Cadre:
Khedkar was declared qualified in the civil services examination 2022, securing the 821st rank under the OBC category as a person with multiple disabilities. She was allocated the IAS cadre in her home state of Maharashtra.
