Power Play Backfires: Probationary IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar Transferred After District Collector’s Complaint
Reported by Sumit Singh & Tikam Shekhawat
Pune, 9th July 2024: The Maharashtra state government has transferred trainee IAS officer Dr. Pooja Khedkar from Pune District to Washim District as the Assistant Collector. Dr. Khedkar, who was serving as a probationary Assistant Collector in Pune, faced allegations related to misuse of authority and improper conduct, leading to her transfer after District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase wrote to the government on June 26.
Dr. Khedkar, an IAS officer of the 2023 batch, was posted in Pune on June 3, 2024, as part of her probationary period. During this probation, IAS and IPS officers are required to work in various departments to gain practical experience before their permanent appointment. However, her tenure in Pune was marked by controversy.
The Pune Collector, Dr. Diwase, wrote a detailed report to the Additional Chief Secretary, citing several issues with Dr. Khedkar’s conduct. The report mentioned that she had used a beacon light on a private car and displayed the “Maharashtra Government” insignia, actions deemed inappropriate for her position. Additionally, she allegedly seized the ante-chamber of a senior officer (Additional Collector), further compounding her misconduct. Photographs of her father’s WhatsApp chat were also included in the report, highlighting inappropriate behavior from her father (a retired government officer).
Dr. Pooja Khedkar is the daughter of Dilip Khedkar, a former civil servant and Commissioner of the Pollution Department. Her maternal grandfather, Jagannathrao Budhwant, also served as an IAS officer. Her mother, Dr. Manorama Khedkar, is the elected sarpanch of Bhalgaon in Pathardi taluka of Ahmednagar district. Dilip Khedkar recently contested the Lok Sabha elections from Ahmednagar South with the support of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.
Despite repeated attempts, Dr. Pooja Khedkar did not respond to calls or messages for her statement.
