Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar assumes new role, keeps mum on allegations 2024

Puja Khedkar took charge as Assistant Collector at the Washim District Collectorate in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. However, she chose to stay mum on allegations levelled against her.

Puja Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer who made national headlines for allegedly using fraudulent means to clear her civil services exam, assumed her role as an Assistant Collector at the Washim District Collectorate in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region on Thursday. However, she chose not to speak about the allegations against her

When asked about the flurry of allegations against her, Khedkar told reporters, “I am not authorised to speak on the issue. Government rules don’t provide (allow) me to speak on this” Khedkar also said she was happy to join duty at the Washim District Collectorate

Khedkar was shunted to Washim after the Pune District Collector sought action against her for her behaviour, including aggressive treatment of junior staff, illegal occupation of the ante-chamber of additional collector Ajay More, and violations pertaining to sporting a red beacon on the Audi and flashing it during the day, among others.

PUNE POLICE PROBING VIOLATIONS

Meanwhile, the Pune Police is conducting a thorough inquiry and will take necessary action over the unauthorised use of a red-blue beacon light and ‘Maharashtra Government’ written on the private car of Puja Khedkar.

An official revealed that the Audi car used by Khedkar during her stint in Pune has been registered in the name of a private company and challans were issued against the vehicle in the past.

Earlier in the day, a team of Pune Police officials went to Khedkar’s bungalow in Pashan area of the city to inspect the Audi car. However, they found the bungalow gates locked.

“Action will be taken in connection with the alleged violations linked to the Audi car under the Motor Vehicles Act. It has been found that the car used by Khedkar is registered in the name of a private company,” news agency PTI quoted a senior official as saying.

The on-probation civil services officer Puja Khedkar has been accused of misusing benefits under the physical disabilities category and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure a position in the Indian Administrative Service.