Demands official car with VIP number plate

Three months after Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer on probation in the Pune collector’s office, began allegedly harassing officers there by demanding an official car with a VIP number plate and an official chamber with adequate staff.

Father, retired IAS officer

her father Dilip Khedkar, a retired IAS officer, had also allegedly intimidated the district staff, claiming they were mistreating his daughter, and warned them of repercussions.

Set up her officer in the ante chamber of Additional collector

Khedkar had also tried to set up her office inside the ante-chamber of Additional Collector Ajay More without his permission, when he was on a visit to the Maharashtra Secretariat in Mumbai between 18 and 20 June.

She had also allegedly removed items like table, chair, sofa, etc from More’s ante-chamber and illegally put up her name plate outside the office.

Installed amber light on private car

Khedkar had also installed an amber light on her private car.

2 year training mandatory before appointment

According to the rules, a probationary officer has to complete a two-year training before being appointed.

Crash course in state language, if from outside state

when sent to a state cadre, a trainee is expected to take a crash course in the state’s language, if he/she is from a different state.

Collector may also take the trainee for holistic experience

the collector may also take the trainee with him/her everywhere for a more holistic experience Print

OBC non creamy layer certificate

Puja had allegedly submitted an OBC non-creamy layer certificate, implying that her family’s annual income is less than Rs 8 lakh.

Asset declaration of 22 crore rupees

Khedkar submitted her asset declaration statement, which every successful candidate has to give after joining the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) for the mandatory two-year training, she declared immovable assets to the tune of Rs 22 crore.

Updated every year

The statement of immovable property has to be updated at the beginning of every year by all civil servants.

Father declared assets 40 crore rupees

Her father, Deelip Kondiba Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officer, who contested the Maharashtra Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar constituency in 2024, had also declared total assets of Rs 40 crore in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India Print

July 2025

OBC certificate cancelled

The Nashik Divisional Commissioner cancelled the OBC non creamy layer certificate ono grounds of suppression of information.

Challenged the cancellation

Ms. Khedkar has challenged the cancellation, claiming the cancellation was made under external pressure.

Criminal case

UPSC has lodged a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity.