India
IAS probationer Puja Khedkar served notice of illegal encroachment by Pune Municipality | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: IAS probationer in more trouble Puja KhedkarOfficials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have issued a notice of illegal encroachment on her property. According to the PMC’s Encroachment Department, Khedkar’s property had unauthorised construction or obstructions on public roads or footpaths under the corporation’s jurisdiction.
While the details of Khedkar’s specific case have not been made public, the PMC’s process for removing encroachments typically involves issuing notices, conducting investigations, and ultimately demolishing or clearing the illegal structures if the owner fails to comply.
Khedkar has been embroiled in a huge controversy over alleged abuse of power and privileges.
Officials said all the documents she submitted to secure her candidacy for the civil service examination and subsequently for her selection to the service would be re-examined on Thursday by a one-person committee constituted by the Centre.
If found guilty, she could be fired, officials said.
“The officer can be removed from the service if found guilty. She can also face criminal prosecution if she misrepresented any fact or in any way manipulated documents relied on for her selection,” PTI said, citing sources in the officers’ ranks.
Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, is on her probation and is currently posted in her home state of Maharashtra.
The 34-year-old civil servant is in the spotlight for allegedly misusing the quota for disabled and other backward classes (OBC) to secure a position in the IAS.
The one-member inquiry committee, headed by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Deputy Secretary, Personnel and Training Department, has been asked to submit its report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Khedkar took up her new post as Assistant Collector at the Washim District Collectorate in Vidarbha region on Thursday. She was transferred from Pune, where she allegedly intimidated everyone. She also put up a red beacon on a private Audi (a luxury sedan) with the words ‘Maharashtra Government’ written on it.
Khedkar is under strict surveillance for allegedly manipulating disability benefits and the OBC quota to secure her position in the Indian Administrative Service.
The controversial official was transferred to Washim after Pune District Commissioner Suhas Diwase wrote to Additional Secretary of the State Nitin Gadre requesting that Khedkar be posted in another district to avoid “administrative complications”.
Diwase had taken action against Khedkar for her conduct, including alleged aggressive treatment of junior staff, illegal occupation of the waiting room of additional tax collector Ajay More and violations relating to carrying red beacon on Audi and flashing it during daytime, among others.
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a notice to a private company there, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar.
In a similar development, the Navi Mumbai police have informed the Maharashtra government that Khedkar allegedly tried to pressure a DCP officer to release a man held in a theft case, an official said on Friday.
The incident took place on May 18 at the Panvel police station, where Khedkar allegedly called Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vivek Pansare and urged him to release a transporter, Ishwar Uttarwade, who was arrested in a theft case.
In addition, a video has surfaced in which Khedkar’s mother Manorama is seen brandishing a gun and threatening a farmer in a land dispute case. A case has been filed in the matter.
According to the police, the FIR has been registered at Paud police station in Pune based on the complaint of the farmer who alleged that he was threatened by the mother of the IAS trainee.
“The police have registered an FIR against Manorama Khedkar, Dilip Khedkar, parents of trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and five others. The FIR was registered at Paud police station last night on the complaint of a local farmer who alleged that he was being threatened by Manoram Khedkar. Charges under the Arms Act have also been framed,” the police said.
(With agency reports)
While the details of Khedkar’s specific case have not been made public, the PMC’s process for removing encroachments typically involves issuing notices, conducting investigations, and ultimately demolishing or clearing the illegal structures if the owner fails to comply.
Khedkar has been embroiled in a huge controversy over alleged abuse of power and privileges.
Officials said all the documents she submitted to secure her candidacy for the civil service examination and subsequently for her selection to the service would be re-examined on Thursday by a one-person committee constituted by the Centre.
If found guilty, she could be fired, officials said.
“The officer can be removed from the service if found guilty. She can also face criminal prosecution if she misrepresented any fact or in any way manipulated documents relied on for her selection,” PTI said, citing sources in the officers’ ranks.
Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, is on her probation and is currently posted in her home state of Maharashtra.
The 34-year-old civil servant is in the spotlight for allegedly misusing the quota for disabled and other backward classes (OBC) to secure a position in the IAS.
The one-member inquiry committee, headed by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Deputy Secretary, Personnel and Training Department, has been asked to submit its report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, Khedkar took up her new post as Assistant Collector at the Washim District Collectorate in Vidarbha region on Thursday. She was transferred from Pune, where she allegedly intimidated everyone. She also put up a red beacon on a private Audi (a luxury sedan) with the words ‘Maharashtra Government’ written on it.
Under intense supervision
Khedkar is under strict surveillance for allegedly manipulating disability benefits and the OBC quota to secure her position in the Indian Administrative Service.
The controversial official was transferred to Washim after Pune District Commissioner Suhas Diwase wrote to Additional Secretary of the State Nitin Gadre requesting that Khedkar be posted in another district to avoid “administrative complications”.
Diwase had taken action against Khedkar for her conduct, including alleged aggressive treatment of junior staff, illegal occupation of the waiting room of additional tax collector Ajay More and violations relating to carrying red beacon on Audi and flashing it during daytime, among others.
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a notice to a private company there, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar.
In a similar development, the Navi Mumbai police have informed the Maharashtra government that Khedkar allegedly tried to pressure a DCP officer to release a man held in a theft case, an official said on Friday.
The incident took place on May 18 at the Panvel police station, where Khedkar allegedly called Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vivek Pansare and urged him to release a transporter, Ishwar Uttarwade, who was arrested in a theft case.
Case against mother of police officer
In addition, a video has surfaced in which Khedkar’s mother Manorama is seen brandishing a gun and threatening a farmer in a land dispute case. A case has been filed in the matter.
According to the police, the FIR has been registered at Paud police station in Pune based on the complaint of the farmer who alleged that he was threatened by the mother of the IAS trainee.
“The police have registered an FIR against Manorama Khedkar, Dilip Khedkar, parents of trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and five others. The FIR was registered at Paud police station last night on the complaint of a local farmer who alleged that he was being threatened by Manoram Khedkar. Charges under the Arms Act have also been framed,” the police said.
(With agency reports)
