Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar Khedkar contacted the police in Maharashtra's Washim on Monday. A team of three women officers visited her residence late at night, staying for about two hours.
Commenting on her conversation with the police, the trainee IAS officer said, "I had called the women police officials to my residence yesterday. They did not come here on their own...A committee has been set up (to verify), let its report come out".
The details of their meeting have not been disclosed, but sources indicate Khedkar initiated the meeting, claiming to have information on certain matters.
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the trainee IAS officer continues to spiral with new allegations of age fraud emerging. A comparison between her applications for the Common Admission Test (CAT) in 2020 and the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2023 reveals a discrepancy of only one year in her reported age, raising suspicions of possible age manipulation.
Moreover, discrepancies in her name on the applications - listed as Khedkar Puja Deeliprao in 2020 and Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar in 2023- have further fueled the controversy.
Khedkar faces scrutiny for allegedly falsifying mental and visual disabilities to secure her position, along with accusations of obtaining an OBC certificate under false pretenses. While no criminal case related to these allegations has been filed yet, authorities in Pune have expressed intent to address pending traffic violations.
Regarding her disciplinary proceedings, a one-member government panel is investigating Khedkar, with potential dismissal pending findings of guilt. Her parents are also involved in legal issues stemming from the controversy. Previously silent on the matter due to "government rules," Khedkar recently criticised what she termed a "media trial" surrounding her actions.