Controversial Trainee IAS Puja Khedkar Fails To Report At Training Academy In Mussoorie By 23 July Deadline

Controversial Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who faces allegations of using fake disability and caste certificates to secure her selection, failed to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie by the set deadline on Tuesday (23 July).

After the controversy over her selection erupted, Khedkar was called back to the academy, and her training programme was put on hold.

She was asked to report to the academy, which is training institution for civil servants, by 23 July.

On 16 July, Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Gadre communicated to Puja Khedkar that her government training period had been terminated.

"It has been decided that district training of Puja Khedkar, IAS 2023 batch, be kept on hold, and she be immediately recalled to the Academy for further necessary action. The state government is requested to relieve the probationer immediately and advise her to join the academy at the earliest, not later than July 23 under any circumstances," the letter by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to the Maharashtra government said, India Today reported.

Khedkar, a 2023-batch trainee IAS officer, is facing allegations of misusing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) quotas for selection.

The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has also booked her for allegedly submitting false information to UPSC about her identity to avail more attempts at the civil service exams than she was eligible for.

Additionally, the Centre also established a single-member committee to review all documents submitted by Khedkar.

Earlier this month, Khedkar attracted attention after being transferred from Pune to Washim district due to complaints of misconduct during her probation period, including using a private car with a beacon light.

She also sought a separate office, an official vehicle, and staff -- privileges that she is not entitled to as a probationer.

Also Read: Nepal: Saurya Airlines Plane Crashes During Takeoff In Kathmandu; 13 Bodies Recovered, Pilot Rescued