Pune – The Centre has instructed the Pune police to verify the marital status of the parents of controversial IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, following allegations that she fraudulently claimed OBC non-creamy layer benefits in the UPSC exam by stating that her parents were separated.
Allegations of Fraud and Misuse of Power
Puja Khedkar, during her training at the Pune district collectorate, has been accused of misusing power and demanding perks she was not entitled to. Reports suggest she was bullying those around her and using a private Audi car with a red-blue beacon and ‘Maharashtra Government’ written on it.
A criminal case was registered against her in Delhi last week for “misrepresenting and falsifying facts.” The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has also issued a show-cause notice regarding the cancellation of her candidature for the 2022 examination and is considering barring her from future exams.
Central Government’s Directive
Speaking to news agency PTI, a senior official of the Pune police confirmed that the central government has asked them to ascertain whether Puja Khedkar’s parents, Manorama and Dilip, were divorced. “We have been asked to find out and inform the central government about whether Puja Khedkar’s parents were divorced. In a nutshell, it has asked us to verify the actual status of their marriage/divorce,” the official said.
UPSC Actions
The UPSC took several actions last week, including registering a police case against Puja Khedkar for fraudulently availing attempts in the civil services examination by faking her identity. A show-cause notice has also been issued for the cancellation of her candidature for the civil services examination-2022 and her debarment from future exams.
Background and Controversy
Ms. Khedkar, a 2023 batch probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, claimed OBC non-creamy layer quota benefits in the UPSC by stating that her parents were separated and she was living with her mother. In a video of her mock interview, she is seen stating that her family income was shown as ‘zero’ because she was not in contact with her father, a civil servant.
However, according to the rules, only those whose parents’ income is under ₹8 lakh per annum fall in the OBC non-creamy layer category.
Legal Troubles of Family
Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama, is currently in jail for criminal intimidation, having been arrested by Pune rural police in 2023 for threatening a person with a gun over a land dispute. Her father, Dilip, a retired government officer, is also an accused in the case and has received interim protection from the court in Pune until July 25.
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