Lawyer Claims Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase Attempted to Sexually Harass IAS Officer Puja Khedkar

New Delhi/Pune, 31st July 2024: For the past few days, Probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer Puja Khedkar has been embroiled in a string of controversies. She faces allegations of defrauding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to become an officer, leading to Police searching for her. However, she has been on the run. Today, she filed a petition for anticipatory bail, which was heard in the New Delhi District Court. During the hearing, her lawyer, Adv. Madhavan, made shocking claims, alleging that Pune District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase attempted to sexually harass the then-trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar.

While defending IAS Puja Khedkar, her lawyer Adv. Madhavan said in court, “A case has been registered and legal action has been initiated in this matter. UPSC is holding a press conference every day, but Puja Khedkar has never appeared before the media. This case was registered at the request of Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase. Puja filed a sexual harassment complaint against Suhas Diwase, who had asked her to come to his room. However, Puja refused.”

Adv. Madhavan strongly defended IAS Puja Khedkar and made some shocking claims. Through her lawyer, Puja Khedkar expressed concerns about the case registered against her and the imminent interrogation in police custody. She questioned why government agencies had acted so promptly in filing a case against her. She asserted that she should be given a full opportunity to present her defence but is unable to do so because of the criminal case filed against her, which has put her at risk of arrest at any moment. She emphasized the need for anticipatory bail to avoid arrest and secure a chance to defend herself.

Puja Khedkar told the court through her lawyer that as soon as the case was registered against me, the media started a campaign against me. I never went to talk to the media. Because I believe in the judiciary.

“Puja Khedkar is Not a Fraud but a Fighter” – Adv Madhavan

Advocate Madhavan, while arguing in court, stated that Puja Khedkar is not a fraud but a fighter. He emphasized that she has had to struggle at every step to become an examinee. He highlighted that she is disabled, her parents are divorced, and she is a woman. Madhavan questioned why a case was filed against her, asking whether it was because she was disabled or because she was a woman.