By Tejas

Pune, July 25, 2024: The controversy surrounding IAS probationary officer Pooja Khedkar has escalated dramatically. Ordered to return to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie by July 23, Khedkar has not complied and is currently untraceable, with her phone is not reachable. This development follows allegations of misconduct and the submission of false documents during her UPSC application process.

The General Administration Department issued an order on July 16, instructing Khedkar, who was working as Super Numerary Assistant Collector of Washim, to return to LBSNAA before July 23 in any case to address the allegations against her. However, despite the clear directive, Khedkar has not reported to the academy as of now.

Similarly, Khedkar was also expected to testify at the Pune Police Collectorate regarding harassment charges she filed against Pune District Collector, Suhas Diwase. Her absence from this scheduled testimony has added to the growing concerns about her whereabouts.

The controversy initially erupted when it was revealed that Khedkar allegedly used a fake disability certificate and an OBC certificate to secure her IAS position. In response, the UPSC halted her training and demanded her presence at LBSNAA for an inquiry. Her sudden disappearance and unreachability have further complicated the situation, and the UPSC’s next steps are eagerly anticipated.

The troubles facing the Khedkar family extend beyond Pooja’s immediate issues. The central government has directed Pune police to investigate the divorce case of Pooja Khedkar's parents. It is alleged that Khedkar claimed her parents were divorced in her application to falsely represent her family income as below the threshold for OBC reservation benefits. This investigation is running concurrently with a separate inquiry into the authenticity of her disability certificate.

In a significant development, Pooja Khedkar's mother was arrested by Pune police from Raigad district a few days ago. She is currently held at Yerawada Jail. Meanwhile, Pooja Khedkar's father is also missing, adding to the complexity of the case.

Pooja Khedkar, an IAS officer of the 2022 batch, has been embroiled in controversy since completing her initial training at LBSNAA and being posted as an Assistant Trainee Collector in Pune. Allegations of lavish behaviour, misuse of government templates on her private car, and the illegal use of a red-blue beacon light have marked her tenure. Her demands for a separate office and staff, as well as her conflicts with senior officials, have been widely reported.

The case has attracted significant public and media attention, raising questions about the integrity of the UPSC's selection process and the conduct of probationary officers. Surprisingly, the director of UPSC, Manoj Soni, resigned from the position two days ago. This raised the eyebrows of many people, as this took place when the UPSC was facing serious allegations about its transparency.