The controversy involving probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar has escalated, as she faces accusations of misusing her official position and submitting fraudulent disability and caste certificates to pass the civil services exam. New allegations against Pooja Khedkar and her family have emerged, leading to calls for a thorough investigation.

The controversy involving probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, accused of misusing her official position and submitting fake disability and caste certificates to pass the civil services exam, has intensified with additional allegations against her and her family, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

This week, the 2023 batch IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre was accused by Pune Collector Suhas Diwase of misconduct, including using a private car with a beacon light and demanding a separate office, official vehicle, and staff — privileges not typically granted to trainee officers. Amidst these controversies, Ms. Khedkar was transferred from the Collector’s Office in Pune to Washim district. Meanwhile, the Centre has established a single-member committee to verify Ms. Khedkar’s candidature claims and other details of the case.

Who is Pooja Khedkar?

A trained doctor, 32-year-old Pooja Khedkar is a resident of Pune and comes from a family of bureaucrats. Her father, Deelip Khedkar, is a retired IAS officer who transitioned into politics. Mr. Khedkar ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a candidate for the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) from the Ahmednagar constituency in Maharashtra.

In a mock interview video uploaded by a private coaching institute on YouTube, IAS officer Pooja Khedkar mentions that she first passed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam in 2019. She stated that she was "supposed to be allocated" to the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), but it was delayed due to "technical issues in the OBC allocation."

Ms. Khedkar then joined the Sports Authority of India and attempted the exam again in 2021 under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) (category e) and OBC quota, securing AIR 821. On December 27, 2022, the UPSC issued a show-cause notice to Ms. Khedkar, asking her to explain how she applied for a reservation under the category of multiple disabilities as specified in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Continuous negligence of mandatory medical test:-

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) referred IAS officer Pooja Khedkar for a medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, in April 2022 to verify her claims of "blindness and mental illness," which she had cited to receive benefits under the disabilities category.

IAS officer Pooja Khedkar requested a postponement of both her personality test and medical examination, citing a COVID-19 infection. Her tests were rescheduled at least four times before she was finally examined in August. During the examination, she was asked to undergo an MRI (brain) to determine the cause of her vision loss in both eyes. However, she informed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) that she suffered from claustrophobia and could not undergo the MRI.

The case was brought before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which, in its order dated February 23, 2023, noted that the percentage of her disability could not be assessed. This order followed an application by Ms. Khedkar seeking reservations under the categories of visual and mental disabilities as per Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. With her candidature in question, Ms. Khedkar approached the Bombay High Court, which granted her another opportunity to undergo a medical examination at AIIMS. However, it remains unclear whether she completed the MRI at AIIMS and what the results were if she did.

Misuse of power:-

IAS officer Pooja Khedkar secured a posting in her hometown of Pune as an Assistant Collector. However, before assuming her role on June 3, 2024, Ms. Khedkar allegedly made repeated calls to the Collector's office, demanding a separate office, residential quarters, an official car, and staff. In his report to the General Administration Department, the Pune Collector noted that the trainee officer was informed she was not entitled to such facilities during probation and that accommodation would be provided according to standard norms. Additionally, it is alleged that her father used his influence to try to ensure her demands were met.

Upon joining, IAS officer Pooja Khedkar reportedly occupied the office of Pune Additional Collector Ajay More while he was away on duty. She allegedly removed his nameplate and rearranged the office furniture. Mr. More later permitted her to use his ante-chamber as her office.

During her probation, Ms. Khedkar used her private luxury car with a red-blue beacon light, a VIP number plate, and a 'Government of Maharashtra' sticker, according to the report. Highlighting her misconduct, Mr. Diwase stated in his report that it was inappropriate for Ms. Khedkar to continue her training in Pune.

Validation of certificates:-

After the Pune Collector’s report made headlines, concerns were raised about the authenticity of the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates submitted by IAS officer Pooja Khedkar to clear the civil services exam. Although Ms. Khedkar appeared under the OBC category, where the creamy layer certificate limitation is an annual parental income of Rs 8 lakh, her father declared his property as valued at ₹40 crore in his election affidavit. According to RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, her father's assets include 110 acres of agricultural land, seven flats, 900 grams of gold, a gold watch worth ₹17 lakh, and four cars.