Probationary IAS Puja Khedkar files harassment complaint against district collector

New Delhi, July 18

Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is under probe for allegedly forging disability certificates to clear the civil services exam filed a case of harassment against Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase. 

Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase had reported her alleged misuse of power to the Maharashtra government. Khedkar was transferred last week from Pune to Washim to serve as supernumerary assistant collector.

The Pune Police have called the trainee IAS officer to record her statement. 

In a letter to the Chief Secretary, Diwase had flagged the demands made by Khedkar. The 2023-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre was seeking special privileges from the Collector's office that were not allowed for a probation officer.

The Collector had mentioned that she had sought a designated cabin and vehicle prior to her joining on June 3. The report mentioned that Khedkar was offered her own chamber but had turned it down due to the lack of an attached bathroom. The allegations of misuse of power led to uncovering details about her allegedly forging disability certificates to clear the civil services exam.

The Pune police had also visited Khedkar at her Ciruit House residence and spoke to her for several hours before issuing summons to record er statement.