‘Why Should You Not Be Terminated As IAS?’ UPSC Files FIR Against Puja Khedkar; She Reacts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, who is facing allegations of submitting fake certificates to secure her job and asking for special privileges at workplace, on charges of cheating. Following a thorough inquiry in which the UPSC found her guilty, the commission has also issued a show-cause notice to Khedkar, asking why her candidature as an IAS officer should not be cancelled in light of the allegations related to fake certificates. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police crime branch has also lodged an FIR against Khedkar under the IT Act and sections of cheating and forgery.

News18 reported last week that she could face severe action leading up to termination.

Replying to it, Khedkar told ANI: “The judiciary will take its own course…whatever there is, I will reply to it."

Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre, has been accused of faking her caste and medical certificates. The 34-year-old IAS officer made headlines over her alleged demands for a separate office, staff and quarters — which she is not entitled to as a probationer. Pune police are probing charges that she used a red beacon and an insignia of the Maharashtra government on her private Audi vehicle.

WHAT THE UPSC, DELHI POLICE SAID

The UPSC has found IAS probationer Puja Khedkar guilty of faking her real identity and violating the UPSC exam rules.

The UPSC said, “The UPSC has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanor of Ms Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar provisionally recommended candidate of the civil services examination. From the investigation it has been revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limits under the examination rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, her photograph, signature, e-mail ID, mobile number and address."

The commission said: “The UPSC has therefore initiated a series of actions against her including criminal prosecution by filing an FIR and issuing a show-cause notice (SCN) for cancellation of her candidature and debarment from future examination/selection."

In its official statement on the FIR, the Delhi Police said, “The UPSC has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar for misrepresenting and falsifying facts to obtain extra attempts in the UPSC examinations, beyond the prescribed limit. Consequently, a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the law, and investigation has been taken up in Crime Branch."

OTHER ALLEGATIONS, FATHER SEEKS ANTICIPATORY BAIL

Another major allegation pertains to her disability certificate submitted to the UPSC. According to media reports, she told the UPSC that she was visually and mentally challenged, in order to get special concessions in the selection process. But she refused to undergo medical tests on several occasions; even specially abled UPSC aspirants, who crack the prestigious test, are required to undergo medical tests. Subsequently, she submitted an MRI report, which was first rejected and later accepted.

Her claim in job application that she belonged to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) non-creamy layer — which would contribute to her selection — is also under the scanner. Pune RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar has said Khedkar’s father, a retired administrative officer who unsuccessfully fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has assets worth Rs 40 crore. The threshold of annual income for quota under OBC non-creamy layer category is Rs 8 lakh.

Last week, Khedkar was transferred to Washim from Pune, where she was posted as an assistant collector. She secured an all-India rank of 841 in the UPSC exam in 2023, and is currently on a 24-month probationary period.

The Maharashtra government has handed over its report on Khedkar case to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). There were several questions that DoPT had asked the state, responses to which have been submitted. The state has completed the inquiry. Now, the Centre-appointed committee will look into it.

Meanwhile, Dilip Khedkar, a retired government officer and Khedkar’s father, has filed an anticipatory bail application in the sessions court amid the ongoing legal troubles surrounding his family. This move follows the arrest of his wife, Manorama, by Pune Police on Thursday for allegedly threatening a farmer at gunpoint about a year ago. The PCMC on Friday sealed a factory in Pimpri-Chinchwad, which is owned by Manorama Khedkar.