Khedkar Accused of Fraudulent Attempts and Quota Abuse
UPSC Takes Stern Action Against Puja Khedkar
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has dealt a severe blow to the career of Puja Khedkar, a controversial IAS officer, by canceling her provisional candidature for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022. This decision comes after a thorough investigation into allegations of fraudulent activities and abuse of quotas.
Khedkar Accused of Multiple Wrongdoings
Puja Khedkar has been at the center of a storm due to multiple accusations leveled against her. She is alleged to have:
- Fraudulently availed attempts beyond the permissible limit in the UPSC exam by faking her identity.
- Misused the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas to secure her candidature.
- Abused power and privileges during her probationary period in Pune.
UPSC Finds Khedkar Guilty of Rule Violations
After a careful examination of the available records, the UPSC found Khedkar guilty of violating the CSE 2022 rules. The commission has not only canceled her candidature but also imposed a permanent ban on her participation in any future UPSC exams or selections.
Delhi Police Also Involved in Investigation
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has registered a criminal case against Puja Khedkar for her alleged fraudulent activities. The case includes charges of cheating, forgery, and misuse of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
UPSC Strengthens SOP to Prevent Recurrence
To ensure that such incidents do not happen again, the UPSC is in the process of strengthening its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The commission has analyzed data from over 15,000 candidates from 2009 to 2023 and found Khedkar’s case to be an isolated one.
The UPSC’s decision to cancel Puja Khedkar’s candidature sends a strong message about the commission’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment processes. It also highlights the importance of stringent checks and balances to prevent misuse of quotas and fraudulent activities.
