Khedkar came under scanner for her disability claim filed while clearing IAS along with her OBC certificate and her conduct when she was posted to the Collector's office in Pune (Image: @khedkarpavan07/X)
“The policewoman visited Khedekar's residence in Washim on Monday when she lodged a harassment complaint against Pune district attorney Suhas Dewas,” the official said.
IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar lodged a harassment complaint against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase with the Washim police.
Khedkar is currently under scrutiny for her claims regarding disability and OBC certificate while passing IAS, and her conduct while serving in the Pune Collector's Office.
According to an official, “Women police personnel visited Khedekar's residence in Washim on Monday when she filed a harassment complaint against Pune district collector Suhas Dewas.”
Earlier in the day, Khedekar refused to elaborate on the purpose of the police personnel's visit in an interview with a TV news channel.
“I called the policewoman because I still have a job,” she said.
Khedekar's training suspended, IAS trainees recalled to Mussoorie
Amid the row, the government on Tuesday suspended Khedekar's “District Training Scheme” as she was recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Institute of Administrative Studies to take “necessary action”.
According to a letter issued by Maharashtra Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre, IAS trainee officers have been directed to return to Mussoorie by July 23.
“LBSNAA, Mussoorie has decided to suspend your regional training program and recall you with immediate effect for further necessary action,” the letter read.
During the district training programme, a trainee IAS officer will undergo district training for one year in his assigned state cadre.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie is a civil service training institution.
Who is Pooja Khedekar?
The 34-year-old Maharashtra cadre officer faces charges of using fraudulent means to pass the civil services examination, including allegedly forging Other Backward Class (OBC) non-creamy layer (NCL) certificates and disability certificates.
She came under scrutiny after reports emerged that she was not entitled to the exorbitant benefits and facilities she demanded as a trainee officer while serving as assistant collector in Pune. Later, she was transferred to Washim district.
Khedkar, a police officer of the 2023 batch, has submitted multiple medical certificates to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), including one showing visual impairment under the Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) provision.
Last week, the federal government set up a one-man committee to “verify” Khedekar's candidacy and directed it to submit a report within two weeks.
(Including PTI input)
