Controversial IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Takes Charge Amid Allegations

Puja Khedkar, a controversial 2023 batch IAS officer, has assumed her role as an assistant collector in Washim District after being transferred from Pune. Her transfer follows allegations of misuse of disability and OBC benefits for exam clearance and improper conduct, including bullying and misuse of VIP privileges.

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar on Thursday assumed the role of an assistant collector at the Washim District Collectorate in the Vidarbha region. She declined to address allegations that she used illegal means to clear her civil services exam.

Khedkar (32), accused of misusing benefits under the physical disabilities category and OBC quota to join the Indian Administrative Services, was transferred from Pune amid charges of bullying and entitled behavior.

“I am happy to join duty at the Washim District Collectorate and am looking forward to working here,” Khedkar, a probationary officer of the 2023 IAS batch, stated.

When questioned about the allegations, Khedkar told reporters, “I am not authorized to speak on the issue. Government rules don’t allow me to speak on this.” She was seen arriving in a Bolero car provided by the district administration, a contrast from the Audi car with a beacon used during her tenure in Pune.

Pune police officials visiting Khedkar’s bungalow to inspect the Audi car for violations found the gates locked, with her mother attempting to shoo away a Marathi news channel team.

Khedkar was reassigned to Washim after Pune district collector Suhas Diwase recommended a transfer to prevent “administrative complications,” citing her aggressive treatment of junior staff and unauthorized use of a red beacon on her Audi.

Washim district collector Buveneswari S stated that Khedkar joined for training purposes, as per the Maharashtra State government’s order.

An official mentioned that the Prime Minister’s Office has sought a report on the matter from the Pune collector.