Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Pune/ New Delhi, 7th September 2024: The central government today discharged Puja Khedkar, a former trainee IAS officer of the 2023 batch, from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The action was taken under Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, following allegations of fraudulent practices during the Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2022.
Puja Khedkar, who secured the 841st rank in CSE-2022, had been undergoing probation training since June 2024. However, she was accused of providing false information to gain benefits under the reservation system. An investigation by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) found that Khedkar had allegedly misrepresented key details, including her age, identity, and the number of attempts she made in the exam. Additionally, she is accused of submitting a questionable disability certificate to qualify under the Divyang (disabled) category.
The UPSC’s investigation led to the cancellation of Khedkar’s selection on July 31, 2024, and she was barred from appearing in any future UPSC exams. The commission also filed an FIR with the Delhi Police, leading to further legal proceedings.
Puja Khedkar took her case to the Delhi High Court, arguing that the UPSC lacked the authority to take action against her. She claimed that all her documents had been verified during the personality test on May 26, 2022. However, on September 4, 2024, the Delhi Police submitted a status report suggesting that one of the two disability certificates provided by Khedkar was suspected to be forged.
In response to the court’s proceedings, Khedkar expressed her willingness to undergo a medical examination at AIIMS to verify her disability. She asserted, “First they accused me of changing my name, and now they are questioning my disability. I am ready to go to AIIMS to prove my condition.”
Justice Subramaniam Prasad, presiding over the case, granted the police an additional 10 days to investigate the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for September 26, and Khedkar’s interim relief from arrest will continue until then.
The accusations against Khedkar are serious. According to the UPSC’s findings, she allegedly submitted false information regarding her name, parents’ identity, and disability status to increase her chances of success in the Civil Services Exam. She is also accused of exceeding the allowed number of attempts by appearing in the exam under different identities. While candidates are typically allowed six attempts, Khedkar reportedly appeared more than 12 times, with seven of these attempts made from the General category.
The case further escalated when it was discovered that one of Khedkar’s disability certificates, supposedly issued by the Medical Authority of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, was not listed in the authority’s records. The Ahmednagar Medical Authority confirmed that the certificate number in question was never issued by them, raising suspicions of forgery.
Puja Khedkar’s tenure as a trainee IAS officer in Pune had already attracted controversy. She was accused of occupying a senior officer’s chamber and demanding additional privileges, including the use of a personal Audi car outfitted with a beacon light and government insignia. This vehicle, later discovered to have outstanding fines of Rs 26,000, became symbolic of the allegations of misconduct against her.
Puja’s case has prompted UPSC to review its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent future instances of such misconduct. Over 15,000 candidates’ data was examined as part of the investigation, but Khedkar’s case was deemed unique due to the scale of her alleged fraud.
Puja Khedkar has made several arguments in her defence:
1. Jurisdiction: She claims only the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has the authority to take disciplinary action under Rule 19 of the CSE 2022 Rules.
2. Name and Identity: Khedkar insists there was no change in her name or identity between 2012 and 2022, and all her documents were verified.
3. Disability: She maintains that her disability, which is 47%, qualifies her for the Divyang reservation and only her attempts under this category should be counted.
4. Document Verification: Khedkar asserts that UPSC verified her biometric data and documents during the personality tests.