Pune's trainee IAS officer Dr. Pooja Khedkar has become the center of attention after a transfer. Fresh insights into her efforts to secure a spot in the Civil Services Exam have emerged following the controversy. It was reported that she claimed to be visually impaired and mentally ill in an affidavit submitted to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Dr. Khedkar had used this disability certificate to obtain special concessions in the selection process for UPSC. Despite scoring lower marks, she was able to pass the exam due to these concessions, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 841.
When did Pooja fail to attend the medical exams?
Post-selection, Pooja was required to undergo medical tests to confirm her disability. However, she refused to participate in the medical examination processes on six separate occasions. Her first scheduled check at AIIMS, Delhi on April 22, 2022, was missed as she claimed to have tested positive for COVID. She also skipped the subsequent exams on May 26 and 27 at AIIMS, Delhi and Safdarjung Hospital. She continued to evade these tests and did not attend another one on July 1.
Although she agreed to a medical review on August 26, 2022, she failed to show up for an essential MRI on September 2, which was meant to assess her visual impairment. Instead of participating in these medical examinations, Pooja Khedkar submitted an MRI report from an external center, which UPSC rejected.
UPSC challenged Pooja's selection
Subsequently, UPSC challenged her selection at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which ruled against her on February 23, 2023. Nonetheless, her MRI certificate was eventually accepted, confirming her IAS appointment. Aside from disability claims, inconsistencies were also found in Pooja Khedkar's claims to the OBC non-creamy layer status.
A big question: Qualifying for IAS
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar pointed out that Dr. Poo Aja Khedkar's wealth declaration in her father's election affidavit was stated as Rs. 40 crores, raising questions about her eligibility for non-creamy layer OBC status, given her father's assets. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, ran for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the ticket of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. Kumbhar questioned how such income could qualify her for the non-creamy layer and raised concerns over inconsistencies in her claims regarding disabilities and her frequent refusals to attend medical examinations. The challenge remains on how she could qualify for IAS given these circumstances.
Pooja Khedkar's transfer from Pune to Washim
This development came into the light after the Maharashtra government transferred Pooja Khedkar from Pune to Washim amidst complaints of misuse of power. This move was initiated following a letter from Pune Collector Dr. Suhas Divase to the Chief Secretary. Pooja Khedkar has now been appointed as the Additional Assistant Collector in Washim.
Demands during probation
During her probation in Pune, Pooja Khedkar had demanded several privileges not accorded to probationary officers. She used her private Audi car equipped with a red-blue beacon and VIP registration plate, put up a board stating 'Government of Maharashtra' on her car, and sought an official vehicle, accommodation, an office room, and additional staff. She even occupied the chamber of the Additional Collector in their absence. Dr. Khedkar's father, a retired administrative officer, reportedly pressured the district collector's office to fulfill Pooja's requests and threatened consequences if her demands were not met.
