The government has established a single-member panel to look into the allegations against trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The panel, led by an additional secretary-rank officer, will investigate her candidature and other details. The committee is expected to submit its report within 2 weeks. Khedkar has been in the spotlight for allegedly misusing her power and seeking unauthorized privileges. Despite the accusations, she has declined to comment, citing government regulations that prohibit her from doing so.
The Puja Khedkar saga
Puja, who claimed to have visual impairment and mental illness in the affidavit she submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), managed to clear the exam and secure an All India Rank (AIR) of 821. Despite her low marks, she was selected. However, after being chosen, she was required to undergo medical tests to verify her disabilities. Puja declined to attend these tests on six separate occasions. Initially, she missed the five scheduled medical examinations between April 22, 2022, and August 26, 2022.
Subsequently, she failed to appear for a crucial MRI on September 2, which was intended to evaluate the extent of her vision loss. Puja later presented an MRI report from an external facility, which was rejected by the UPSC. The UPSC contested her selection in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ruled against her on February 23 of the previous year. Nevertheless, her MRI certificate was eventually accepted, confirming her appointment as an IAS officer.