The Union Public Service Commission has written to the Maharashtra government to verify IAS trainee Puja Khedkar’s certificates as they probe allegations of the trainee using fraudulent means to enter civil services.
Reportedly, the Commission has also sought documents regarding the divorce of Puja’s parents and details of her parents' income as she secured entry into civil services under the OBC quota. The Centre has appointed a single-member committee to probe the allegations that she used false fitness and community certificates to gain entry into civil services. The committee will submit a report within two weeks.
Meanwhile, details emerged on Monday that Khedkar didn't claim any physical disability while she sought admission to MBBS course in 2007. “There was no mention of any disability, whether physical or mental, in the medical fitness certificate submitted by Puja Khedkar when she joined our college in 2007,” said Dr Arvind Bhore, director of the Kashibai Navale Medical College, Pune. She had submitted a certificate showing she is from NT (Nomadic Tribes) category and from the Vanjari community. She had submitted a caste certificate and non-creamy layer certificate, Bhoretold a Marathi channel.
The Pune Regional Transport Office on Sunday seized the luxury car used by Khedkar by allegedly installing a red beacon light on it illegally. Khedkar allegedly used a red beacon light on the Audi car and also got 'Maharashtra Government' written on it without permission. Following the controversy, she was transferred from Pune to Washim district before the completion of her training.
"A notice was issued on Thursday against the unauthorised use of a beacon and name sign on the private sedan Khedkar had been using. The car now has been confiscated, its documents will be checked and we are probing the matter further," a senior police official said. A jammer was put on the car and barricades were installed around it, he said.
