‘Will Get Everyone Behind Bars’: Pune Police Officer And Journalists Intimidated By Mother Of Controversial IAS Officer Puja Khedkar
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat and Sumit Singh
Aundh, 11th July 2024: The Pune police is facing significant resistance from Manorama Khedkar, mother of the controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar, when they attempted to take action against her daughter’s illegally equipped vehicle (Audi car with unauthorised beacon lights).
The incident highlights ongoing controversies surrounding Puja Khedkar, who has been under scrutiny for tantrums during her training period and ‘frauds’ in recruitment.
The altercation occurred when officials from Chatushrungi traffic division reached her bungalow at the National Housing Society on Baner Road in Aundh. Her mother Manorama Khedkar locked the gate of their bungalow from the inside and threatened to have the officers and mediapersons jailed. She made the officers stand outside the gate, refusing them entry.
This confrontation is the latest in a series of issues involving Puja Khedkar. During her tenure as a trainee IAS officer, Khedkar was previously in the spotlight for unauthorized use of beacon light on her Audi and demanding excessive privileges, such as a car, peon, and office space, even though she was not in a position of authority.
The Pune District Collector has submitted a report on her conduct to the state government, and the training institute ( Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) in Mussoorie has requested an explanation from the Maharashtra government regarding her behavior.
Furthermore, investigations have revealed that Khedkar secured her IAS post using a falsified disability certificate. Her name and disability category changed for first IRS and then IAS selection by the UPSC.
RTI activist Vijay Kumhar has raised questions about how Khedkar, despite being on probation, managed to secure privileges and reservations under the OBC category. He has demanded a thorough investigation into her wealth and a case to be filed against her for the misuse of her vehicle.
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The incident has sparked public debate about the misuse of power and the integrity of the civil services, with many calling for stricter enforcement of regulations and accountability for officers in training.
The Pune police are currently considering their next steps in response to the obstruction they faced.
