IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Defended by Father Amid Controversy

The father of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has come forward to defend his daughter amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding her recent transfer from Pune over alleged misuse of power. Dilip Khedkar, in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, refuted all allegations against Puja, emphasizing that she is facing unwarranted harassment.

Puja Khedkar, a member of the 2023-batch IAS officers in Maharashtra, has been under scrutiny after being accused of requesting special privileges such as a separate office, a car, and accommodation upon assuming her role as Assistant Collector in Pune.

“My daughter has not committed any wrongdoing. Is it unreasonable for a woman to ask for a designated workspace?” Dilip Khedkar questioned. He further highlighted that the issue is currently under investigation, with a committee investigating the matter. He hinted at a potential ulterior motive behind the controversy.

Despite being prompted to reveal the individuals allegedly targeting Puja, Dilip refrained from naming anyone. When questioned about Puja’s category for benefits application, he stated, “We will present our case to the committee. Legal processes are ongoing, and it would not be prudent to comment prematurely. All protocols were adhered to, and there was no misconduct.”