Dilip Khedkar, father of Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, defended his daughter amidst allegations of power misuse and indiscipline. Puja Khedkar, during her probationary period in Pune, allegedly demanded a separate office, car, and house before her official posting as Assistant Collector.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Dilip Khedkar refuted the allegations, stating that his daughter is being unjustly harassed. He argued that requesting an office space is not a wrongdoing and highlighted that the matter is currently subjudice, with a committee appointed to investigate. He suggested that someone is deliberately creating the controversy but did not name anyone.
Regarding her application under the creamy or non-creamy layer category, Dilip Khedkar mentioned that their case will be presented to the committee and assured that everything was done according to the rules. He also addressed concerns about Puja's absence from an evaluation at AIIMS in Delhi for her multiple disabilities, labeling it a half-truth and emphasizing the strict rules of the UPSC medical board.
Puja Khedkar recently made headlines after her transfer from Pune to Washim, following accusations of inappropriate demands and the unauthorized installation of a beacon and state government insignia on her luxury Audi car. Additionally, allegations surfaced that she availed of Other Backward Class (OBC) benefits and disability concessions to secure her IAS position. The Centre has established a one-member committee to investigate her conduct and selection process.
