Pune IAS officer Puja Khedkar's training put on hold

Pune (Maharashtra): Following allegations of misusing her authority, trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar was relieved from the District Training Programme of the State Government of Maharashtra on Tuesday.

Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Musoorie and her training has been put on hold.

The letter from Nitin Gadre, Additional Chief Secretary (P) read, "...LBSNAA, Mussoorie has decided to keep your district training programme on hold and immediately recall you for further necessary action."

Puja was asked to join the academy till July 23, 2024.

Meanwhile, a case has also been filed against IAS Pooja Khedhkar's parents, Manorma Khedkar and Dilip Khedkar for allegedly threatening farmers with a pistol.

Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh spoke about the case to ANI and said that the accused are on the run, and we have been trying to contact them, however, because their phones are switched off, we are not able to get through them. "The accused are on the run; we are trying to contact them but they are not reachable as their phones are switched off. We have also tried to reach their residence but they are not available."

Further, he said, "Several teams, including officials from the local crime branch and local police stations, are searching for them in Pune and nearby places where they have some farmhouses and other residences. If found, we will question them and take action accordingly."

Earlier, the Pune Police had decided to take action against the Audi car that was used by the IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who was transferred from Pune to Washim in Maharashtra for misusing her authority.

The Pune Police Commissioner, Amitesh Kumar, said, 'We are here to take action. The gate is closed, but we will proceed with the investigation once it is opened. Pune Police will examine the car used by the trainee IAS officer under the Motor Vehicles Act."

Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer who secured an All India rank of 821 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams has been accused of misusing her authority.

As an assistant collector in Pune, Khedkar was found to have availed facilities not entitled to probationary officers, including allegedly using a red-blue beacon and a "Maharashtra Government" board on her private Audi car.