IAS trainee Puja Khedkar criticizes media trial over fake certificate controversy.
In response to allegations of misconduct and misuse of power, 2022-batch probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has vehemently defended herself against what she calls a premature “media trial.” The controversy surrounding Khedkar involves accusations of submitting fake medical and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to gain advantages in her career.
Addressing the media, Khedkar expressed her stance on the ongoing scrutiny: “I will testify before the expert committee, and we will respect its decision.
Khedkar, who was recently transferred from Pune to Washim amidst the controversy, faced allegations of improperly using a personal Audi car equipped with VIP registration and emergency lights — a vehicle marked ‘Maharashtra Government’. These accusations have fueled public and media interest, prompting Khedkar to stress the importance of awaiting the findings of the expert committee tasked with investigating the matter.
“The experts of the government (committee) will decide. Whenever the decision of the committee comes, it will be public and open to scrutiny. But right now I don’t have any right to tell you about the investigation going on,” she emphasized.
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that Khedkar had allegedly submitted a fake non-creamy layer OBC certificate in 2007 to secure admission to MBBS at the Shrimati Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital. According to reports, Khedkar utilized this certificate to gain entry under the reserved Nomadic tribe-3 category, raising concerns about the veracity of her academic and professional credentials.
In response to these specific allegations, Arvind Bhore, Director of the medical college, confirmed that Puja Khedkar had indeed secured admission through the Association of Management of Unaided Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Maharashtra (AMUPDMC) entrance test, scoring 146 out of 200 marks.
The revelation of the allegedly falsified OBC certificate has added fuel to the controversy surrounding Khedkar, whose career trajectory and integrity are now under intense public and governmental scrutiny. As the investigation progresses, Khedkar has reiterated her commitment to cooperate fully with the expert committee and emphasized the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the allegations against a promising young officer, highlighting broader issues of ethics and accountability within India’s civil service. The outcome of the investigation will likely have far-reaching implications, not only for Puja Khedkar personally but also for the perception of integrity and transparency within the bureaucracy.
In conclusion, while Puja Khedkar faces serious allegations of misconduct and the use of fraudulent documents, she remains steadfast in her assertion of innocence and in her willingness to subject herself to due process. The scrutiny surrounding her case underscores the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining public trust and adhering to ethical standards in governance. As the investigation unfolds, the truth behind the allegations will ultimately be determined by the findings of the expert committee, whose decision will be awaited with keen interest by all stakeholders involved.