Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Controversy Deepens Amid Mother’s Gun Threat to Farmer
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/13th July 2024
Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been at the center of controversy for the past week due to her alleged VIP demands during her posting at the Pune Collectorate. Despite being transferred to Washim, the controversies continue to follow her. It has emerged that Khedkar allegedly misused an OBC certificate and falsified a disability claim to clear the prestigious civil service exam. The government has formed a one-member panel to investigate these serious allegations.
Adding to the turmoil, Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, has made headlines for a different but equally troubling reason. A video from 2023 has resurfaced showing Manorama Khedkar brandishing a gun and threatening a farmer during a land dispute in Mulshi. The video, which recently went viral, prompted swift action from the police. The farmer in question filed a complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR against Manorama Khedkar.
Pune Rural Police have registered an FIR against Manorama Khedkar, her husband Dilip Khedkar, and five others. Senior Police Inspector Manoj Yadav of Paud Police Station confirmed the FIR was based on the farmer’s complaint, with charges filed under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, charges under the Arms Act have been included.
The viral video depicts an intense confrontation between Manorama Khedkar and local farmers over a land dispute. In the footage, she is seen demanding to see land documents that she claims are in her name, waving a pistol in the direction of the farmer, and attempting to hide the weapon upon realizing she is being recorded.
In response to the public outcry and demands for accountability, Pune Police registered a case against her. Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh explained that although the incident occurred a year ago, they have since identified and verified the complainant, ensuring the case progresses.
This scandal compounds the troubles for Puja Khedkar, already under scrutiny for allegedly falsifying documents to gain an advantage in her IAS examinations. The probe into these accusations will determine the validity of her credentials and could have serious ramifications for her career.
The combination of these incidents has sparked widespread debate about integrity and accountability within the civil service. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice and maintaining the credibility of the examination and selection processes.
Puja Khedkar’s predicament highlights the importance of transparency and ethical conduct for public officials. The allegations against her, coupled with the actions of her mother, have cast a shadow over her accomplishments and raised questions about the standards upheld by those in positions of authority.
As the government continues its investigation, the outcomes will be closely watched by the public and officials alike. The case serves as a reminder of the rigorous standards expected of civil servants and the serious consequences of deviating from these principles.
