Probationary IAS Officer Khedkar's Training Paused Amid Disability And OBC Certificate Controversy, Called To LBSNAA

Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer who is facing investigation for alleged misuse of power and privileges, has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie (LBSNAA), with her training put on hold.

This marks the first significant action against Khedkar, who was transferred from Pune to Washim amid allegations of manipulating disability and OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificates to enter the civil services.

She has been recalled to the training academy for "further necessary action" as per a report by NDTV.

The General Administration Department has released a statement stating, "You are hereby relieved from the District Training Programme of the State Government of Maharashtra."

Khedkar has been instructed to "join the academy at the earliest" but no later than 23 July.

The elite academy is responsible for training IAS cadre civil servants and conducts the foundation course for Group-A central civil services.

Khedkar is under scanner for allegedly misrepresenting herself under the PwBD and OBC categories to qualify for the civil service exam. She is also accused of misusing her position during her posting in Pune.

Khedkar had submitted two certificates from Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital in 2018 and 2021 to the UPSC under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category.

However, after missing six medical check-up appointments at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Science between April and August 2022, she applied for a disability certificate from the Aundh government hospital in Pune in August 2022. Her application was rejected after medical tests.

The 2023-batch officer from Ahmednagar has alleged a "media trial" against her and claimed to be the victim of a misinformation campaign.

Last week, the Union government established a one-member committee to "verify the candidature" of Khedkar and submit a report within two weeks.