Controversial Probationary IAS Officer in Maharashtra Sparks Outrage with Unusual Demands and Alleged Misuse of Power

Pooja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra, has recently been at the center of controversy due to her alleged misuse of power and some unusual demands that have raised eyebrows.

Khedkar, a 2022-batch IAS officer from Maharashtra cadre with an All India Rank (AIR) of 841 in the UPSC exam, was recently transferred from Pune to Washim in central Maharashtra.

The controversy surrounding Khedkar began when she used her private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and a VIP number plate, drawing attention to herself.

An official report submitted by Pune Collector Suhas Diwse to the General Administration Department revealed that Khedkar had demanded facilities such as a separate cabin, car, residential quarters, and a peon even before assuming her duties as a trainee.

Despite being denied these privileges, Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired administrative officer, reportedly exerted pressure on the district collector’s office to fulfill his daughter’s demands.

In addition to the unusual demands, Khedkar was also accused of removing the nameplate of a senior official at the Pune collector’s office to use his ante-chamber as her office.

Further investigations into Khedkar’s appointment documents revealed that she had allegedly submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to qualify for the civil services exam.

Khedkar purportedly appeared for the exam under the categories of OBC and visually impaired, submitting a mental illness certificate as part of her documentation.

Despite being asked to undergo medical verification of her disabilities at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi in April 2022, Khedkar reportedly avoided attending the examinations multiple times, citing various reasons.

The discrepancies in Khedkar’s OBC status were further highlighted by her father, Dilip Khedkar, who declared assets worth Rs 40 crore in his election affidavit for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he ran on a Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi ticket.

As a result of these controversies and alleged misconduct, Khedkar has now been transferred to Washim to complete the remainder of her training as a supernumerary Assistant Collector until July 30, 2025.