Pune: Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer, has received a show cause notice from the Department of Personnel and Training of the Central Government.
The notice demands that Khedkar appear in person and provide a written explanation regarding the allegations against her by August 2.
Khedkar was appointed as a trainee IAS officer at the District Collector's office. During this period, Khedkar accused District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase of harassment.
She filed a complaint with the Washim police, who transferred the complaint to the Pune police. The Pune police have summoned Khedkar three times to record her statement regarding the matter. However, she has not yet appeared. Meanwhile, District Collector Dr. Divase sent a report concerning Khedkar to the state government.
The Department of Personnel and Training of the Central Government has now issued a notice requiring Khedkar to provide a written explanation about the allegations against her.
Khedkar has claimed innocence till proven guilty. Khedkar had alleged that a media trial is being conducted against her.
Puja Khedkar is under investigation for allegedly securing her position with a fake disability certificate and misusing the socio-educational reservation benefits. A committee has been appointed to investigate the allegations against Khedkar, who will be questioned by the committee.
Khedkar's District Training Program has been put on hold by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, and she had been recalled to the academy before July 23, 2024.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has also initiated a series of actions against Puja Khedkar, including Criminal Prosecution by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police authorities and issuing a Show Cause Notice (SCN).
