Parents of controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar “on the run” as police lookout for them

The story of Puja Khedkar, a trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has captivated the nation’s attention, sparking a whirlwind of controversies and raising eyebrows across the country.

From allegations of misusing power and violating appointment rules to her parents’ recent run-in with the law, the Khedkar saga has become a veritable media frenzy, leaving the public hungry for more details. As the plot thickens and the authorities scramble to track down the elusive Khedkars, one can’t help but wonder: what exactly is going on, and how deep does this rabbit hole go?

The alleged threats and disappearance

In a shocking turn of events, the parents of the trainee IAS officer, Dilip and Manorama Khedkar, have found themselves in hot water with the law. According to reports, the duo, along with five others, have been booked by the Pune Rural Police for allegedly threatening a local farmer. The authorities have revealed that the accused are currently on the run, with their phones conveniently switched off, making them seemingly untraceable.

“The accused are on the run. We are trying to contact them, but they are not reachable as their phones are switched off,” Pankaj Deshmukh, the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Pune Rural, told news agency ANI. “Several teams, including officials from the local crime branch and local police stations, are searching for them in Pune and nearby places with some farmhouses and residences. When found, we will question them and take action accordingly.”

The viral video and firearm controversy

The drama surrounding the Khedkars took an even more bizarre turn when a viral video emerged, showcasing Manorama Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer’s mother, brandishing a firearm and allegedly threatening villagers in Mulshi taluka of the Pune district. The incident, which reportedly occurred in June 2023, has sparked outrage and further scrutiny into the family’s conduct.

According to the police, a case has been filed against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. The family, however, has claimed through their lawyer that the gun seen in the video was used to avoid further escalation of the argument and in self-defense, and that they have all the necessary permissions for the possession of the weapon.

The MBBS admission controversy

Adding fuel to the fire, fresh reports have emerged suggesting that Puja Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer, had secured admission for her MBBS degree by utilizing the OBC (Other Backward Class) non-creamy layer quota. Interestingly, her father was a serving bureaucrat in Maharashtra at the time of her admission, raising questions about the legitimacy of her OBC status.

Arvind Bhore, the director of Kashibai Navale Medical College, where Khedkar reportedly studied, has stated that she took admission in 2007 through the Common Entrance Test (CET) and submitted a medical fitness certificate that did not mention any disability.

The Disability Certificate debate

The controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar’s appointment to the IAS has taken another twist, with her Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) certificate coming under intense scrutiny. It is alleged that Khedkar applied for a PwBD certificate in August 2022, but the doctors at the Pune medical board rejected her request, stating that “it is not possible” to issue such a certificate.

Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired bureaucrat, has claimed that his daughter suffers from vision impairment and a certain category of mental illness, which were verified by medical professionals before the disability certificate was issued. However, the medical board’s rejection of her recent application has raised further questions about the legitimacy of the existing certificate.

Puja Khedkar’s alleged demands for a separate cabin and staff during her posting in Pune, as well as her abrupt transfer to Washim district, have only added to the growing list of controversies surrounding her. These incidents have fueled speculation about her perceived sense of entitlement and the potential misuse of her position as a trainee IAS officer.

Another intriguing aspect of the Khedkar saga is the family’s reported wealth. Dilip Khedkar, Puja’s father, had declared property worth ₹40 crore in his poll affidavit when he contested the Lok Sabha elections. This revelation has further raised eyebrows, as it raises questions about the source of the family’s substantial assets and their potential influence within the system.

The ongoing investigation and public scrutiny

As the authorities continue their search for the elusive Khedkars, the public’s appetite for answers only seems to grow. The case has sparked a nationwide discussion about the integrity of the IAS selection process, the accountability of public officials, and the broader issues of social justice and equal opportunity.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are determined to get to the bottom of this,” said a senior government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The public deserves transparency, and we will ensure that the law takes its course, regardless of the individuals involved.” As the Khedkar saga continues to unfold, the public remains glued to the unravelling of this complex and multifaceted story. With the authorities hot on the trail of the elusive family, the next chapter in this captivating saga is sure to keep the nation on the edge of its collective seat.