The Navi Mumbai Police have submitted a report to the Maharashtra Government detailing allegations that controversial probationary IAS officer Pooja Khedkar attempted to exert pressure on a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to release an individual accused of theft. Despite the call, no further action was taken by the police at the time.
According to the police, the incident took place on May 18th at the Panvel Police Station. Reportedly, Pooja Khedkar called DCP Vivek Pansare and requested the release of transporter Ishwar Uttarwar, who had been arrested on theft charges.
The police narrative suggests that Khedkar assured the DCP that Uttarwar was innocent and that the charges against him were trivial. During the call, Khedkar introduced herself, but the DCP doubted whether the call was genuinely from an IAS officer or an impostor. No action was taken regarding the call, and the accused, Uttarwar, remains in judicial custody.
IAS Pooja Khedkar recently made headlines when she was transferred from Pune to Washim district even before completing her training. She had demanded a separate cabin and staff in Pune, which led to controversy. The 32-year-old probationary IAS officer’s conduct has prompted the Navi Mumbai Police to reach out to the office of the Pune Collector and a senior official in the Home Department.
Source: aajtak
Following the advice of a Home Department official, DCP Pansare sent a two-page report on the alleged phone call to Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, who was overseeing the Home Department's additional charge through Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe.
In addition to Pooja Khedkar's conduct at the Pune Collector's Office, there are also allegations that Khedkar misused the OBC certificate to secure a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted a committee on Thursday to verify the candidacy of the 2023 batch of Maharashtra cadre IAS officers. A statement from the Centre announced that an officer of Additional Secretary rank will investigate the claims related to Pooja Khedkar’s candidacy and other details.
