Probe into Unauthorized Use of Red Beacon on Audi Car by IAS Officer; Car Confiscated by Pune Police

Pune police confiscated an Audi car after it was found to have an unauthorized red beacon installed on it, allegedly by IAS officer Pooja Khedkar.

Following the incident, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued a notice to the private company that owned the Audi car, registered under Shivane village in Haveli taluka.

Pooja Khedkar, who recently stirred controversy for allegedly misusing quotas and misappropriating official permissions, was using the Audi car during her Pune tenure. She was subsequently transferred to Washim district before completing her training.

The RTO notice cited the unauthorized use of a red beacon and «Maharashtra Government» sign on the Audi car without permission.

The red beacon and designation sign have been removed, and the car is currently impounded by the police for further investigation into the matter.

The Audi car, registered in 2012, had accumulated 21 traffic violation challans with total fines amounting to ₹27,000, which have been duly paid.

Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, the State Government is authorized to permit the use of red or amber beacons on official vehicles designated for specific government officials.

In pursuit of compliance with regulatory mandates, the number of government posts authorized to utilize beacons was streamlined by the Maharashtra State Government in line with a 2014 directive from the Supreme Court.

Subsequently, a single-member committee constituted by the Centre will analyze Pooja Khedkar’s candidacy to ascertain any infractions, with the potential of termination from service if guilty.