Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: IAS officer Puja Khedkar, currently under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting her disabilities and OBC background to secure undue benefits, exchanged multiple assertive WhatsApp messages with the Pune Collector’s office before her assignment. Khedkar, an on-probation civil services officer, demanded confirmation of her “seating arrangement and vehicle,” among other perks not typically provided to junior staff.
A preliminary report from the Collector’s Office includes screenshots of messages between Khedkar and an unidentified individual, highlighting her persistent and demanding tone.
One of the initial messages from Khedkar read: “Hello, Dr Puja Khedkar IAS here. I have been posted as Asst collector Pune. Dr. Diwase sir gave me your contact number. I would be joining on June 3rd. However, some of my documents sent from Buldhana collector office to Pune I am not able to locate in our office. Kindly let me know what can be done…”
The reply was: “Ok. No issue. On Monday we can trace.”
Khedkar then demanded details about her office and a government car, to which she was told, this would be “discussed with collector sir on Monday.”
On May 23, an impatient Khedkar messaged, “Any update about accommodation, travel, cabin, etc?” Receiving no reply, she texted again the next day, “Kindly respond. It’s important.” She was informed, “Good morning… We will check as you arrive.”
Expressing frustration, Khedkar responded, “I think it should be done before I join not after… I have a lot of things to plan accordingly and cannot leave it to later.”
When phone calls went unanswered, she texted, “Is there any problem in calling back?”
Four days later, she sent an ultimatum: “Please get the designated cabin and vehicle done before I join on the 3rd. Later there will be no time. If it is not possible let me know, I will talk to collector sir accordingly…”
The report also noted that Khedkar demanded a house.
A 2023-batch IAS officer, Khedkar faces multiple allegations, including falsifying her OBC status and using privileges reserved for senior officials, such as a siren and a ‘Government of Maharashtra’ sticker on her private luxury Audi sedan. She was also reported using Additional Collector Ajay More’s office in his absence, removing office furniture, and demanding letterheads, all perks unavailable to junior staff on probation.
Reports suggest that her father, a retired officer, had pushed for her demands to be met.
Following a complaint from Pune Collector Suhas Divase to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Khedkar was transferred to Washim. The order stated, “The 2023 batch IAS officer will serve the remaining period of her probation as Supernumerary Assistant Collector in Washim district.”
