Maharashtra: Audi Car With Red Beacon Of Controversial IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar Seized By Pune Police

A private Audi car used by controversial trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar was seized by Pune police on Sunday (14 July) as it had a red beacon light mounted and a 'Maharashtra Government' board on it without permission.

34-year-old Khedkar is under scrutiny over alleged misuse of Other Backward Class (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) and Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) certificates.

Meanwhile, a notice was issued by Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Thursday against the unauthorised use of a beacon and name sign on the private sedan Khedkar had been using.

The car was then brought to Chaturshrangi Police Station and has been kept at its traffic division with a jammer on it and barricades installed around it.

"The car now has been confiscated, its documents will be checked and we are probing the matter further," a senior police official was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The action comes as only senior officials above the rank of secretary in the state government, police officers of inspector general rank and higher, and regional commissioners are permitted to use amber beacons without flashers. Blue beacons are designated for top-level district officials.

The controversy erupted when Khedkar started demanding facilities for which trainee IAS officers are not entiltled. She is said to have used the OBC NCL certificate even to get admission into the MBBS course.

A single-member committee has been formed to verify Khedkar's candidature claims and other details regarding the alleged misuse of power as a civil servant. It will submit report in two weeks.