Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Relieved from Training Amid Misconduct Allegations

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been removed from the District Training Programme in Maharashtra and recalled to the LBSNAA in Mussoorie following allegations of misusing her authority. Concurrently, a case has been filed against her parents for allegedly threatening farmers with a pistol.

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar was relieved from the District Training Programme of the Maharashtra State Government on Tuesday following serious allegations of authority misuse. She has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, and her training has been put on hold.

The official letter from Additional Chief Secretary (P) Nitin Gadre stated, "...LBSNAA, Mussoorie has decided to keep your district training programme on hold and immediately recall you for further necessary action." Khedkar has been instructed to rejoin the academy by July 23, 2024.

In a separate development, a case has been filed against Khedkar's parents, Manorma and Dilip Khedkar, for allegedly threatening farmers with a pistol. Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh confirmed that efforts to contact the accused have been unsuccessful as their phones are switched off, and they are currently on the run. Multiple teams are searching for them in Pune and surrounding areas.

Previously, Pune Police had decided to take action against the misuse of an Audi car by Khedkar. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar reported that they will proceed with the investigation once access to the car is granted. Khedkar, who secured a rank of 821 in the UPSC exams, is accused of availing facilities not entitled to probationary officers, including using a red-blue beacon and a 'Maharashtra Government' board on her private vehicle.