IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar Submitted Fake Disability Certificate

IAS officer Pooja Khedkar is under investigation for allegedly using a fake disability certificate to secure her position, amid broader accusations of misconduct and discrepancies in her OBC status.

Pooja Khedkar, an IAS officer from the 2022 batch, is currently making headlines for allegedly submitting a fake disability certificate. She secured the 821st rank in the UPSC exams under the Multiple Disabilities category, though some reports suggest she ranked 841st. Pooja, who holds an MBBS degree, was initially posted as an Assistant Collector in Pune and has recently been transferred to Washim, Maharashtra. She is accused of submitting fake disability certificates during her recruitment process.

Pooja comes from a family with a strong civil service background. Her grandfather was a senior bureaucrat, her father, Diliprao Khedkar, is a retired officer from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and a political candidate, and her mother is the elected sarpanch of Bhalgaon in Ahmednagar district. Despite her family's strong background, Pooja's actions have led to significant controversy. Reports suggest she used various means, including skipping multiple medical examinations, to secure her position. Additionally, she allegedly made unauthorized demands and misused her power, leading to several complaints and traffic violation penalties.

Further allegations have surfaced regarding her OBC non-creamy layer status, as her father's reported wealth exceeds the eligibility criteria. An RTI activist pointed out the family's considerable assets, including agricultural land, commercial space, apartments, gold, and stakes in companies. A recent viral video showed Pooja's mother brandishing a firearm in a land dispute, leading to an FIR under several IPC and Arms Act sections. Pooja is now under investigation, and if found guilty, she may be dismissed from her position. The public is keenly watching the developments, questioning the integrity of her claims and the actions of her family.

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