Pune Traffic Police has seized the Audi car of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. Puja made headlines after messages of her demands went viral on social media before joining the services as a full time officer. Furthermore, she was using the Audi car with red-blue light beacon illegally installed. The personal Audi car also had a VIP number plate which is not allowed per the Motor Vehicle Act. Khedkar had also got the “Maharashtra Government” written on her car without getting prior permission.
As per reports, the car is registered in the name of a private company. A notice was issued from the Pune RTO to the owner of the car to immediately present the car to the RTO for document verification. Following the notice, the driver of the Khedkar family visited the traffic division of Chaturshringi police station in Pune and handed over the keys to the officials.
The red-blue light and the sticker of the Maharashtra Government were removed from the car. Reportedly, there is a standing fine of Rs 26,000 against the said Audi car for violating 21 traffic rules.
Puja Khedkar’s name appeared in the news after she demanded special facilities before joining the post of Assistant Collector in Pune. As per the chats, she asked for a special office, an official car, and staff. Notably, trainee officers are not entitled to these facilities.
As the matter went viral on social media platforms, more details about how she became an IAS officer came to light. Reportedly, she has now been accused of submitting the wrong documents to UPSC. Furthermore, she also allegedly misused her Divyang and OBC certificates. According to her OBC certificate, she belongs to the non-creamy layer. However, her family has declared properties of Rs 60 crores.
Following the controversy and report filed against her by the Pune Collector about her behaviour with fellow employees, she was transferred to Washim. A special committee has been formed by the Government of India to investigate the matter. According to an unnamed officer quoted by PTI, in case she is found guilty, her selection will be cancelled.
FIR against Puja’s parents for threatening a farmer
As Puja Khedkar made the headlines, her family’s questionable actions are coming to light. On 13th July, an FIR was registered against the parents of the trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar for threatening a farmer with a pistol. The Police lodged an FIR based on a farmer’s complaint after an old video went viral in which Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar was seen pointing a pistol at farmers. Manorama Khedkar was booked under sections 323, 504, 506, 143, 144, 147, 148, and 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and various sections of the Indian Arms Act. The Police have also booked Puja’s father, Dilip Khedkar, and five others.
Father Dilip Khedkar came in support of his daughter
Dilip Khedkar, the father of the trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, defended his daughter against the allegations made against her, asserting that she is being unjustly harassed. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Dilip Khedkar discussed the controversy regarding his daughter’s inappropriate demands and indiscipline during her probationary period in Pune. He argued that requesting a place to sit is not an error. “My daughter has done nothing wrong. Is it wrong for a woman to ask for a place to sit? The matter is sub judice, and a committee has been appointed to investigate it. We should all wait for the final verdict. I believe someone is deliberately trying to make this an issue,” said Dilip Khedkar.
