Probationary IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar Faces Harassment Inquiry, Training Suspended

In a significant development, Pune police have issued a notice to probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, requesting her presence to record her statement regarding her harassment complaint against Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase. Khedkar is expected to appear tomorrow to provide her statement.

According to an official statement, Khedkar, who has filed a harassment complaint against Diwase with Washim police, was relieved from the District Training Programme of the Maharashtra State Government following allegations of misusing her authority.

She has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Musoorie, and her training has been put on hold. Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre announced that LBSNAA has decided to pause her training program and recall her for further action.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar criticized the administrative setup, attributing the controversy to a lack of dialogue within the administration.

Adding to the controversy, the Anti-Corruption Bureau Pune has initiated an inquiry into the unaccounted wealth of Khedkar's family. The IAS officer, who secured an All India rank of 821 in the UPSC exams, faces allegations of abusing her authority.

Previously, Pune Police decided to take action against an Audi car used by Khedkar, which involved her alleged misuse of authority. The Police Commissioner stated that the vehicle would be examined under the Motor Vehicles Act, and any pending traffic fines would be cleared.

(With inputs from agencies.)