The Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) announced on July 25 that an internal investigation found no error in issuing a disability certificate to trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar. Questions about the certificate's validity led to an investigation led by Hospital Dean Dr. Rajendra Wable, declaring Khedkar 7% disabled. This inquiry was ordered by the District Collector, who sought clarification on the matter.
However, the physiotherapy department's report at YCMH stated that Pooja Khedkar had no disability. Despite this, the hospital administration issued a certificate indicating 7% locomotor disability in her left knee. Aaj Tak has exclusive documents illuminating contradictions between the physiotherapy department and hospital administration's decision-making.
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Pooja Khedkar approached the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital on August 23, 2022, to obtain a locomotive disability certificate. She used falsified ration card details to provide a fake address proof. On August 24, 2022, she received the locomotor disability certificate. Pooja informed YCMH doctors about her minor accident in 2018, which left her left knee injured.
Source: aajtak
However, no medical evidence from 2018 was verified by YCMH doctors. They recommended physiotherapy without conducting an MRI scan. Pooja was then examined by the physiotherapy department at YCMH, but the 7% locomotor disability seen by the resident doctor was not confirmed by the physiotherapy department. Contrarily, they noted no disability in Pooja Khedkar's knee.
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The investigation report by YCMH Dean Dr. Rajesh Wable on Khedkar's disability was rejected by PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh. He ordered YCMH to revise the report, questioning how the resident doctor examined Pooja Khedkar, the basis of evidence, and the testing used to determine disability. Despite the physiotherapist stating no disability in Khedkar's left knee, the certificate was still issued.
What’s the Issue with Pooja Khedkar?
Pooja Khedkar faces criminal charges for 'false statements and misrepresentation of facts' in her civil service application. The UPSC has issued a show-cause notice for her withdrawal of selection and may prohibit her from retaking the exam. Delhi Police have filed an FIR against her, and investigations are ongoing.
Pooja's father, Dilip Khedkar, a former Maharashtra government official, faces corruption charges and has been suspended twice for extortion and other related accusations. Her mother, Manorama Khedkar, is a Sarpanch who recently got into trouble after a video of her waving a gun and threatening a group of people went viral. She was arrested under the Arms Act.
