Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer recently transferred due to allegations of power misuse, secured her MBBS admission under the OBC non-creamy layer category. Khedkar, who belongs to the Vanjari community, gained entry into Pune's Kashibai Navale Medical College in 2007 through the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 quota. At the time of her admission, her father, Dilip Khedkar, was an IAS officer in the Maharashtra government.
Khedkar scored 146 out of 200 on the entrance exam, which was higher than her Common Entrance Test (CET) score, so her CET score was not considered. This was before the NEET examination was introduced. Her academic records show she scored 83% in Class 10 and 74% in Class 12.
Recently, Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, was transferred from her position as Assistant Collector in Pune to Washim. The transfer followed a report from the Pune District Collector to the Chief Secretary detailing her demands for a separate cabin, official residence, vehicle, and support staff before taking charge, which is unusual for a probationary officer.
Her OBC status and disability claims have been questioned amid allegations that her family's wealth exceeds Rs 60 crore. She had also claimed visual impairment for her UPSC recruitment but allegedly skipped multiple mandated medical tests. An MRI report from a private facility was accepted instead.
Further controversies include her use of red and blue beacons on her private Audi with a 'Maharashtra Government' insignia and an attempt to interfere in police matters by pressuring a Deputy Commissioner of Police to release an individual arrested in a theft case.
In response to these allegations, the central government has formed a committee to investigate the claims against Puja Khedkar.
