Pooja Khedkar, a trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2023 batch, is embroiled in a major controversy over allegations of misusing reservation quotes to secure her position. The Centre has now constituted a single-member panel to investigate the veracity of Khedkar’s candidature claims, and she may face severe consequences if found guilty.
Misuse of Power and Privileges
Khedkar’s troubles began shortly after she was appointed as an assistant collector in Pune. She was accused of misusing her official position and privileges, including using a private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light, violating the law. Khedkar also alleged; that y occupied the office of the Additional Collector, Ajay More, without permission, and removed furniture without consent.
These actions prompted the Pune district collector, Suhas Diwase, to write to the state government, requesting that Khedkar be transferred to another district to avoid “administrative complications.” As a result, Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim district earlier this week.
Allegations of Quota Fraud
However, the most serious allegations against Khedkar involve using reservation quotes to secure her IAS seat. Khedkar is accused of falsely claiming to be from the Other Backward Class (OBC) non-creamy layer and also misusing the disability quota to clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.
In her affidavit to the UPSC, Khedkar claimed that she was visually impaired and mentally ill, which allowed her to avail of the concessions offered to underprivileged candidates. However, she refused to undergo the mandatory medical tests required for specially-aled candidates on at least five occasions.
The UPSC initially challenged Khedkar’s selection in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), but her external MRI report was later accepted. Now, the Centre-appointed panel panel will investigate the authenticity of Khedkar’s claims and the documents she used to secure her IAS seat.
Khedkar’s Family Connections
Adding to the controversy, Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, is a retired IAS officer-turned-politician who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Dilip Khedkar’s election affidavit revealed that he has assets worth 40 crore, raising questions about Pooja Khedkar’s claims to the OBC non-creamy layer quota.
Furthermore, Khedkar’s mother, Manoroma Khedkar, has been embroiled in a separate controversy after a video surfaced showing her threatening a group of men with a gun. An FIR has been lodged, and the police will investigate whether she possessed a valid firearm license.
Potential Consequences
If the investigation panel finds Khedkar guilty of misrepresenting her eligibility for the IAS, she could face severe consequences, including termination from service and potential criminal charges for forgery.
“The officer may be terminated from the service if found guilty. She may face criminal charges also in case she is found to have misrepresented a fact or done any sort of manipulation in documents relied upon for her section,” a source told the Economic Times.
The UPSC has already issued a show-cause notice to Khedkar, to explain how she applied for a reservation under the category of multiple disabilities as mentioned in the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Conclusion
The case of Pooja Khedkar has raised serious questions about the integrity of the civil services selection process in India. The allegations of quota fraud and misuse of power by a trainee IAS officer have sparked outrage and demands for a thorough investigation.
If the allegations against Khedkar are proven true, it would not only undermine public trust in the IAS but also have far-reaching consequences for the affected candidates who were denied opportunities due to the alleged manipulation of the system. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how such cases are handled in the future.