Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who has been embroiled in controversy over alleged misuse of benefits under physical disabilities and OBC quotas, is once again in the spotlight following the surfacing of an old video. In the video, Khedkar’s mother is seen brandishing a gun while confronting individuals, which has stirred fresh controversy.
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Manorama Khedkar, mother of the infamous IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, was witnessed arrogantly challenging police personnel and reporters, while also making legal threats, following her attempt to take over land using a gun and private hired bouncers. It appears that the entire… pic.twitter.com/ZkuQnNRfNJ
— Vaibhav Kokat (@ivaibhavk) July 12, 2024
Puja Khedkar, part of the 2023 batch, has faced accusations of misrepresenting her category status and disability claims during her UPSC application process. It is alleged that she posed as an OBC non-creamy layer candidate and avoided medical examinations to verify her claims of visual and mental disabilities.
Furthermore, allegations have surfaced regarding Khedkar’s family attempting to assert control over land belonging to farmers, prompting a confrontation where her mother, Manorama Khedkar, was filmed wielding a pistol and intimidating individuals.
Local reports indicate that the Khedkar family, including Puja’s father Dilip Khedkar, a retired IAS officer, owns substantial property. There are also allegations that the family tried to occupy land belonging to farmers, leading to the confrontation captured in the video.
The incident involving Manorama Khedkar threatening individuals with a gun has drawn strong criticism. Farmers reportedly attempted to file a complaint at Pune’s Paud Police Station but faced resistance.
In addition to these controversies, Puja Khedkar has faced accusations of “abuse of power.” She allegedly used a red beacon, VIP number plates, and a “Government of Maharashtra” sticker on her private Audi sedan. Furthermore, it is claimed that she accessed the office of Additional Collector Ajay More without consent, removed office furniture, and demanded official letterheads.
The ongoing controversies surrounding Puja Khedkar highlight issues related to integrity and misuse of privileges within administrative circles, sparking public and media scrutiny.