Trainee IAS Puja Khedkar Files Harassment Case Against Pune District Collector: Sources

Pune: Probationary IAS Puja Khedkar, on Tuesday, reportedly filed a harassment case against the Pune District Collector, who ordered her transfer to Washim. As per the reports, the complaint has been filed at the Washim police station against Pune District Magistrate Suhas Diwase, who reported her for alleged misuse of power to the Maharashtra government which led to Puja Khedkar’s transfer to Washim.

Reportedly, Puja Khedkar was transferred from Pune to Washim last week as a supernumerary Assistant Collector. Khedkar is under the scanner for her claims on her disability as well as OBC certificates while clearing the IAS and for her conduct when she was posted in the Pune collector's office.

Complaint Filed Against Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase

Earlier, the District Magistrate, in his letter to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, had flagged the demands made by the 2023-batch IAS Puja Khedkar, seeking special privileges from the Collector's office that were not allowed for a probationary officer.

Khedkar, 34, is in the middle of a storm, after reports about her alleged demands for a separate office and official car and unauthorised use of a beacon on her private car emerged. She was subsequently transferred to Washim from Pune.

A senior police official stated, "Women police personnel visited Khedkar at her residence in Washim on Monday when she lodged a complaint of harassment against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase." However, Khedkar earlier, refused to elaborate on the purpose of the visit by police personnel. "I had called female police personnel because I had some work," she had said.

Amid the row, the government on Tuesday put on hold the 'district training program' of Khedkar as she was summoned back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration for necessary action.