YCM Hospital Clears IAS Probationer of Disability Certificate Fraud as Court Orders Judicial Custody for Her Mother

An internal investigation by Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital has cleared Puja Khedkar of fraud allegations regarding her disability certificate. Meanwhile, her mother faces judicial custody for allegedly threatening a farmer with a gun.

An internal investigation by Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital has verified that the seven percent locomotor disability certificate issued to IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in August 2022 was in line with regulations. This inquiry was launched following allegations that Khedkar used fraudulent means, including exploiting physical disability and OBC quotas, to pass the UPSC examination. The authenticity of her certificates remains under scrutiny.

The hospital's dean, Dr. Rajendra Wable, confirmed that the certificate issuance followed a rigorous assessment by the physiotherapy and orthopedic departments. "The medical test was conducted per the rules, with no evidence of foul play," Dr. Wable stated. He added that the certificate would not benefit Khedkar in education or employment. Addressing concerns that Khedkar had provided a private company's address to obtain the certificate, Dr. Wable clarified, "Verifying the address is not within the hospital's responsibilities. We only ensure the applicant is from the Pimpari Chinchwad area, which was confirmed."

The district collectorate had requested the hospital to investigate any potential wrongdoing and file a police complaint if necessary. The hospital's findings cleared it of any misconduct related to issuing the certificate. In a separate development, the Pune court on Monday ordered a 14-day judicial custody for Manorama Khedkar, Puja Khedkar's mother, under allegations of threatening a farmer.

According to authorities, Manorama threatened a person with a gun over a land dispute in June last year. She was arrested last Thursday at a lodge in Raigad district, where she was hiding, and subsequently produced before a judicial magistrate. The prosecution alleged that Manorama, along with her husband and three others, threatened the complainant with a gun, accusing her under Section 307 for allegedly putting a gun to the complainant's head and almost pulling the trigger.

(With inputs from agencies.)