IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Faces Swift Action Amid Identity Fraud Allegations

Puja Khedkar, a controversial IAS officer, was moved out of Washim after the UPSC initiated actions against her, including a police case for identity fraud in the civil services exam. Accused of misusing power during her Pune training, Khedkar assured media she would return soon while departing for Nagpur.

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar was swiftly relocated from Washim on Friday, following a series of punitive measures initiated by the UPSC, including the registration of a police case over alleged identity fraud in the civil services exam.

Accused of exploiting power and privileges during her training period in Pune, Khedkar faced media outside the government rest house in Washim, asserting, "Judiciary will take its course." She had joined duty in Washim earlier this month as a supernumerary assistant collector after being transferred from Pune by district collector Suhas Diwase, who had reported her misconduct to senior officials.

Allegations against the 2023 batch IAS officer include demanding unentitled facilities, occupying a senior official's ante-chamber, and flaunting her status with an unauthorized red-blue beacon light on her high-end Audi car, backed by a VIP registration. The UPSC has issued a show-cause notice for the cancellation of her 2022 civil services exam candidacy and potential debarment from future exams.

(With inputs from agencies.)