Probationary IAS Officer Under Scrutiny for Alleged Discrepancies in Disability and Caste Claims

A probationary IAS officer, Puja Khedkar, is currently facing intense scrutiny and potential repercussions due to apparent disparities in her disability and caste assertions, which were pivotal in her enlistment into the civil services.

An investigative panel led by the Department of Personnel & Training’s additional secretary, Manoj Dwivedi, has been established to delve into the issuance and legitimacy of the documents supporting Khedkar’s disability and OBC claims.

Focusing on the accuracy of Khedkar’s disability assertions, the investigation highlights her failure to undergo crucial medical assessments at AIIMS Delhi despite being classified as a ‘Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)’ during her IAS selection process.

Sources indicate that the panel will submit its findings to the DoPT, which will then forward the report and recommendations to the Maharashtra government, given Khedkar’s placement in the Maharashtra cadre. Sanctions such as termination and potential criminal charges for fabrication and deceit are on the cards if guilt is established.

To determine the validity of Khedkar’s OBC status, the panel is contemplating involving the social justice ministry. Discrepancies arose when her father, a former bureaucrat and recent Lok Sabha election candidate, disclosed assets exceeding Rs 40 crore, including properties valued in crores registered under Khedkar’s name.

The panel also plans to engage experts from AIIMS Delhi to assess the extent to which Khedkar’s purported visual and mental disabilities align with the requisite criteria for governmental employment, according to reports by Times of India.

A senior government official noted that fraudulent disability claims for PwBD selection are not uncommon, with candidates often circumventing mandatory AIIMS medical assessments and subsequently challenging the process in the Central Administrative Tribunal. However, their efforts usually end in failure, as highlighted in a report by Living Media India Limited.