Controversial Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Faces Harassment Allegations

Police have requested Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer, to record her statement regarding harassment allegations against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase. Khedkar, transferred to Washim following behavior concerns, recently filed a complaint against Diwase. Authorities are scrutinizing her claims related to disability and OBC certificates.

Police have requested Puja Khedkar, a controversial trainee IAS officer, to record her statement regarding allegations of harassment against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase, a senior officer revealed on Wednesday.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that Khedkar has been summoned to Pune for her statement.

Despite the allegations, Diwase denied any prior knowledge of such complaints, stating he only learned about them through media reports. Khedkar is currently under scrutiny for claims related to disability and OBC certificates, alongside her conduct during her tenure at the Pune collector's office.

Following a report by Diwase about her behavior, Khedkar was transferred to Washim as a supernumerary assistant collector. Allegations against her include demanding unauthorized facilities and occupying the ante-chamber of a senior official.

On Monday, women police personnel visited Khedkar in Washim, where she filed a harassment complaint against Diwase. This complaint has been forwarded to Pune Police for further investigation.

In light of the controversy, the government put Khedkar's 'district training program' on hold and summoned her back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration for 'necessary action.'

(With inputs from agencies.)