Pune: Puja Khedkar, a controversial and now dismissed IAS officer, has received a final notice from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) after repeatedly failing to respond to previous communications. The department's recent notice, which came with a deadline of August 14, went unanswered, leading to further action.
Khedkar, who has faced scrutiny for alleged misconduct after attempting the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams 12 times, was initially issued a notice by DoPT following revelations of her deception. Despite being given an additional deadline to respond, Khedkar did not comply.
In response, the department has posted the notice at her residences in Pune and Bhalgaon (Taluka Pathardi, District Nagar). The notice was affixed to her bungalow in Aundh, Pune, as no one accepted it in person.
The DoPT has set a final deadline of August 16 for Khedkar to present her case. If she fails to respond by then, it will be assumed that no clarification is forthcoming, and further action will proceed accordingly. The department has indicated that no further notices will be issued.
Meanwhile, following her dismissal by the UPSC, Khedkar has been granted protection from arrest by the Delhi High Court in a related case. The next court hearing is scheduled for next week.
Puja Khedkar had obtained a disability certificate from Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital by providing her company's address as proof of residence.
The Khedkar averted the auction of this company, Thermoverita Private Limited, located in Talawade, by settling overdue taxes. The company had been facing an auction threat due to unpaid property tax of ₹2.87 lakh and water tax of ₹1.78 lakh, both of which were settled on August 6.
