Lagatar24 Desk
Pune: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar finds herself at the center of a major controversy involving her UPSC candidature claims and alleged misuse of power. The spotlight is now on her private Audi sedan, which the Pune Traffic Police revealed has 21 pending traffic violations. These include reckless driving and non-compliance with traffic rules, leading to a notice demanding a penalty of Rs 27,000.
The notice pointed out that Ms. Khedkar’s vehicle improperly displayed “Government of Maharashtra” stickers and unauthorized red beacon lights. A police official visited her Pune residence to serve the notice, but she was not present at the time.
The situation has raised questions about why the Pune Police did not act earlier despite the numerous traffic violations associated with her vehicle.
Ms. Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, secured an all-India rank of 841 in the UPSC exam. She hails from a family dedicated to public service, with her father, Dilip Khedkar, being a retired administrative officer. However, she is under intense scrutiny for allegedly manipulating benefits under the physical disabilities category and OBC quota to secure her position in the Indian Administrative Service.
Amid the growing controversy, the 24-year-old has been transferred to Washim. When asked about the allegations, Ms. Khedkar told reporters, “I am not authorized to speak on the issue. Government rules don’t allow me to speak on this.”
As the controversy unfolds, it highlights concerns over the misuse of official privileges and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and accountability among public servants.
