The Union government has discharged controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service with immediate effect. The Union Public Service Commission had earlier cancelled the selection of Khedkar who is facing multiple allegations including cheating and faking her identity.
Khedkar has been discharged from the IAS under Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954.
Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, provides for discharge on ground of a probationer having been found to be ineligible to be recruited to the Service.
The UPSC, which conducted a detailed investigation into the misdemeanour of Khedkar, had found that she had availed attempts for the examination beyond permissible limits through fraudulent means.
The Centre, meanwhile, had formed a one-member panel to examine the controversy on July 11. The panel submitted its reports on July 24, 2024. Taking note of the findings and conclusions of the committee, the government proceeded for a summary enquiry.
The 2023-batch officer is accused of misrepresenting herself under the physical disabilities category to qualify the exam and later abusing her position. She also allegedly submitted a fake Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate.
“From this investigation, it has been revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit under the examination rules by faking her identity by way of changing her name, her father’s and mother’s name, her photograph/ signature, her email ID, mobile number and address,” the UPSC had said in a statement.
Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim earlier this month following allegations that the officer had made repeated requests for a private cabin, car, living quarters, and a peon even before joining duty on June 3.
As the controversy raged Khedkar’s training in Maharashtra was put on hold and she was recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.