Pooja Khedkar, a promising 2022 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Maharashtra, has found herself in the spotlight amid allegations of exceeding her authority. The controversy centers around accusations that she improperly utilised a personal Audi car equipped with VIP registration and emergency lights, a vehicle marked ‘Maharashtra Government,’ which has raised eyebrows about its legitimacy under official regulations.
Hailing from a family steeped in public service, she clinched the 841st rank in the rigorous UPSC examinations. However, it is also alleged that Khedkar submitted fake certificates to clear her IAS exams. She submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam, said a PTI report.
Khedkar appeared for the civil services exam under the OBC and visually impaired categories, an official reportedly said, adding she also submitted a mental illness certificate. In April 2022, she was asked to report at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi for verification of her disability certificate but she did not do so, citing COVID-19 infection, the official said.
Her father Dilip Khedkar, a former state government officer, while contesting the recent Lok Sabha election, had reportedly declared his property valued at Rs 40 crore. However, Pooja Khedkar appeared for the civil services exam under the OBC category, where the creamy layer certificate limitation is an annual parental income of Rs 8 lakh, said the report.
The claim came a day after the probationary IAS officer was transferred from Pune to Washim following complaints of misuse of power. After joining as a probationary officer in Pune, Khedkar allegedly made several demands, including a VIP number plate for an Audi car, and placed a red beacon on the vehicle. Local authorities voiced concerns over her purported demands for special privileges which also included separate accommodation and additional staff.
These concerns were formally communicated to the state Chief Secretary by Pune Collector Suhas Diwase, prompting a transfer for Khedkar from Pune to Washim district, where she assumed the role of Assistant Collector to complete her probationary period.
The ensuing debate within administrative circles and on social media has revolved around the appropriateness of her actions as a probationary officer. Guidelines typically restrict probationary civil servants from availing certain perks and privileges, adding fuel to the scrutiny surrounding Khedkar’s case.
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