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The case of Pooja Khedkar, a controversial IAS probationer, has come to a conclusion with her dismissal from service. The Union Government took this action after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) dismissed her from the prestigious IAS services due to allegations of forgery in her certificates and repeated attempts to crack the examination by changing her name. This dismissal marks the culmination of a series of controversies that surrounded Khedkar's tenure as a trainee officer and ultimately led to her downfall.
Khedkar first gained notoriety during her time with the Pune collectorate. Her behavior as a trainee officer drew scrutiny as she allegedly misused official privileges, including using an official beacon on her private vehicle and occupying the chamber of the additional collector in his absence. This inappropriate conduct, coupled with alleged threats from her father, a former state government official, to collectorate officials, led to her transfer to Washim as an assistant collector.
However, the controversy surrounding Khedkar did not end with the transfer. Questions about the validity of her certificates, including her disability certificate and caste certificate, surfaced. It was discovered that Khedkar had claimed multiple disabilities and had been appointed under the OBC category, despite her father's declared assets of Rs 40 crores. The legitimacy of her caste certificate was challenged, particularly given her father's substantial wealth. Furthermore, investigations revealed that Khedkar had exceeded the permitted number of attempts to clear the IAS examination by slightly altering her name. The disability certificate was also found to be questionable, as she had obtained it from Ahmednagar, her home district, instead of Pune, where she resided.
Adding further complexity to the situation, old videos surfaced showing Khedkar's mother brandishing a gun. Consequently, both her father and mother were arrested on charges related to these videos, although they are now out on bail. The UPSC, following reports from Nashik's divisional commissioner, ultimately dismissed Khedkar from service based on charges of forging documents and intentionally exceeding the permitted number of examination attempts. Khedkar had attempted to challenge this dismissal in the Delhi High Court.
This dismissal has been welcomed by AAP leader and RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, who called for action against other officers whose certificates are under scrutiny. The Khedkar case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and maintaining transparency in public service. It also highlights the consequences of engaging in fraudulent practices to secure a position of power. The dismissal of Khedkar and the arrest of her family members underscore the commitment of authorities to investigate and address such instances of misconduct within the Indian administrative system.
Source: Puja Khedkar dismissed from service: The false rise and deep fall of an IAS probationer