Key Points:
- Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar failed to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie by the July 23 deadline.
- Khedkar is under investigation for alleged irregularities in her selection and misuse of powers.
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has filed a criminal case against her for misrepresentation and falsifying facts in her civil service application.
Puja Khedkar’s Growing Troubles
Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s situation has worsened as she missed the deadline to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, by July 23. Khedkar has come under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in her selection for civil service and misuse of powers during her probation period.
Controversy and Recall
Khedkar was recalled to the academy, and her training program was put on hold due to the controversy surrounding her selection. On July 16, Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre informed her that her training period with the government had been terminated. Despite this, Khedkar has neither reported to the academy nor responded to the letter, according to sources from India Today.
Legal Issues and Allegations
Khedkar has been unreachable since the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) filed a criminal case against her for “misrepresenting and falsifying facts” in her civil service application. She is a 2023-batch trainee IAS officer accused of misusing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas for her selection.
Furthermore, the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has booked her for allegedly submitting false information to the UPSC about her identity to avail herself of more attempts at the civil service exams than she was eligible for. The Centre has also formed a single-member committee to examine all documents submitted by Khedkar.
Previous Misconduct
Khedkar’s troubles began earlier this month when she was transferred from Pune to Washim district following complaints of misconduct. Allegations include using a private car with a beacon light during her probation period and demanding privileges such as a separate office, an official vehicle, and staff — entitlements she was not eligible for as a probationer.
Conclusion
Puja Khedkar’s failure to report to the LBSNAA by the specified deadline has added to her mounting troubles. With multiple allegations of misconduct and misuse of quotas, along with legal actions taken by the UPSC and Delhi Police, her future in the civil service remains uncertain. The ongoing investigations and the formation of a committee to scrutinize her documents indicate that the scrutiny and consequences of her actions are far from over.
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