Brief Summary
This video is about the ongoing case of IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, who is accused of using fraudulent means to get into the IAS. The video highlights the various allegations against her, including fake disability certificates, misuse of reservations, and discrepancies in her application forms. It also touches upon the sexual harassment allegations she made against a senior officer and the subsequent legal battles. The video concludes by discussing the changes UPSC has implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future and raises questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in India.
- Puja Khedkar is accused of using fake disability certificates and other fraudulent means to get into the IAS.
- She has also accused a senior officer of sexual harassment.
- The case has led to legal battles and an ongoing investigation.
- UPSC has implemented changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- The video raises questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in India.
Intro
The video revisits the case of IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, which was initially covered a year ago. What seemed like a clear-cut case of fraud, involving fake disability certificates, misuse of reservations, and the display of illegal VIP symbols, has now taken a complicated turn with sexual harassment allegations and ongoing courtroom battles. Despite substantial evidence, including an FIR and show cause notice, Puja Khedkar has not yet been convicted, raising questions about the progress and complexities of the case.
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Puja Khedkar's Background
Puja Khedkar is a 34-year-old trained medical doctor with an MBBS degree from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Despite her medical background, she pursued her dream of joining the IAS, following in the footsteps of her father, Dilip Khedkar, a former IAS officer turned politician. After multiple attempts over a decade, Puja succeeded in 2022 and was assigned to her home cadre in Maharashtra. She underwent training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie and received her first district posting in Pune. While she appeared to have a successful background, discrepancies in her claims and certificates began to surface.
The Initial Incident and Investigation
Puja claimed several disabilities, including low vision, hearing impairment, and mental health conditions, which granted her Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PWBD) status under Indian law, increasing her allowed attempts at the UPSC exam from 6 to 9. Trouble began when Puja arrived at the Collector's office in Pune in a white Audi with an illegal red beacon, demanding VIP treatment, including a private office, personal staff, and a government bungalow. Her father's intervention and accusations of mistreatment led to an official report by Pune's District Collector, Suhas Diwase, detailing her excessive demands. This triggered an investigation and her transfer to Washim District.
Sexual Harassment Allegations
Following her transfer, Puja accused Pune's District Collector, Suhas Diwase, of sexual harassment in a letter to Maharashtra's Chief Secretary. She alleged inappropriate behavior, including being called to his chamber under false pretenses and a physical assault during lunchtime. Despite these serious allegations, the state government did not initially respond, leading Puja to file a police complaint in Washim. Suhas Diwase denied the accusations, stating that Puja was always surrounded by other officials and that she had not mentioned the harassment in her official response to the report filed against her.
UPSC's Investigation and Show Cause Notice
The Department of Personnel and Training cancelled Puja's field training and recalled her to the academy. Subsequently, UPSC launched an investigation into Puja's records and issued a show-cause notice, alleging that she had deliberately lied in her application to gain extra attempts at the UPSC exam. She allegedly changed her name and her parents' names to reset her record and also altered her category from General to OBC and then to OBC plus PWBD. UPSC filed a criminal complaint against Puja with the Delhi Police Crime Branch, citing deliberate concealment of information and the use of fake certificates.
Legal Battles and Court Interventions
The Department of Personnel and Training sought Puja's dismissal from the IAS cadre, citing false information, excessive attempts, and a lack of suitable character. Puja responded by seeking anticipatory bail in Delhi's Patiala District Court, claiming she was being framed for her complaint against the Pune District Collector. UPSC cancelled her candidature for the 2022 exam. The Patiala High Court criticized Puja's actions as a sophisticated fraud against UPSC's credibility, but Puja appealed to the Delhi High Court, arguing that UPSC had not followed proper procedures in cancelling her candidature.
Supreme Court's Involvement and Current Status
The Delhi High Court initially granted Puja interim protection from arrest due to procedural lapses by UPSC. However, the court later rejected her anticipatory bail, citing evidence that her parents lived together, contradicting her claim of divorce as the reason for changing her name. Puja then appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing the validity of her certificates. The Supreme Court questioned the police's investigation, noting the lack of custodial interrogation and concrete evidence of a conspiracy. Ultimately, the Supreme Court granted Puja anticipatory bail, observing that she was not a major criminal and had already lost her job.
Aftermath and UPSC Reforms
Following the scandal, UPSC implemented several changes, including mandatory Aadhaar authentication and biometric verification, requiring aspirants to submit all documents in the preliminary stage, and updating its software to detect fraud involving name changes. Despite these reforms, questions remain about the effectiveness of law enforcement in this case. Puja remains confident that she will be reinstated into the IAS, believing in the justice system. The video concludes by emphasizing the need for better enforcement of existing laws rather than creating new ones.
