In recent events affecting the administrative landscape of Maharashtra, trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar is at the center of controversy as the state government has decided to halt her district training program and recall her to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. This decision was communicated through a letter from the Additional Chief Secretary, highlights the seriousness of the allegations leveled against Khedkar.

Puja Khedkar Controversy

Khedkar, aged 34, first came under public observation for reportedly installing a beacon on her private vehicle, a move that triggered a cascade of revelations about her alleged wrongdoings. Reports further allege that she manipulated her eligibility under the physical disabilities and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories during the Civil Services Examination, drawing severe criticism and scrutiny.

Puja Khedkar
Image Source: lbsnaa

The controversy has intensified in recent weeks, prompting the central government to initiate a probe into Khedkar’s candidature. A single-member committee has been tasked with verifying the claims surrounding her selection and is expected to submit its results shortly. This investigation, led by an additional secretary-ranked officer, aims to address the concerns raised about her recruitment process and subsequent conduct.

Beyond Khedkar herself, the controversy has ensnared her family, with her parents becoming embroiled in a separate, highly publicized incident. A video purportedly showing Khedkar’s mother threatening individuals with a firearm over a land dispute in Pune district has compounded the controversy surrounding the IAS officer, further tarnishing her image.

Meanwhile, efforts to locate Khedkar’s parents have reportedly proven fruitless, as law enforcement officials have encountered locked doors and unanswered calls during attempts to contact them at their Pune residence. The unfolding events have cast a shadow over Khedkar’s career and emphasized broader concerns regarding transparency and ethical standards within the civil service recruitment process.

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