DoPT Issues Final Notice To Pooja Khedkar: No More Opportunity To Testify Herself In Front Of UPSC
By Tejas
Pune, August 17, 2024: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued a stern warning to controversial IAS probationer Pooja Khedkar, demanding her immediate appearance before the department to clarify the serious accusations of fraud levelled against her. Despite being granted multiple extensions, Khedkar has failed to present herself at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), prompting the DoPT to declare that no further opportunities will be given for her to defend her case.
The DoPT sent similar notices to Khedkar's residences on Baner Road and in Bhalgaon. As no one received the notices, sources confirmed that they were affixed to the doors of her homes.
Khedkar stands accused of defrauding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by exceeding the permissible number of exam attempts, allegedly by changing her name. The UPSC had previously ordered her to appear at the LBSNAA before July 23 to address the charges. However, Khedkar did not comply with the directive. Consequently, she was given another notice to present her case to Rajat Kumar, the Assistant Secretary of the DoPT, before August 14.
As the date has passed and Khedkar has again failed to respond to the notice, the DoPT announced yesterday that no further notices will be served to her and she will not be granted any additional opportunities to present her case. This latest notice was also sent to her homes in Baner and Bhalgaon. As a result, it is anticipated that the UPSC may take stringent action against her in the coming time.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have been searching for Khedkar, who has gone into hiding following the allegations. However, she has been granted anticipatory bail by the Patiala House Court in Delhi, protecting her from arrest until August 22. The next court hearing in this case is scheduled for Wednesday.
Earlier, the DoPT suspended Khedkar from service, and the UPSC imposed a lifetime ban on her from taking any future UPSC exams. However, Khedkar has challenged these orders in court. Now, it will be interesting to see what action the UPSC will ultimately take in this case.