Audi A4 Luxury Sedan Used By IAS Trainee Officer Pooja Khedkar Seized By Pune Police

IAS Trainee Officer Pooja Khedkar is in deep trouble following a controversy over the alleged misuse of her powers. Pune police recently seized an Audi car used by the officer for installing red beacon lights on the roof. She installed the beacon and the “Maharashtra Government” insignia on the car during her tenure at the Pune Collectorate.

The Pune police took action against the officer and seized the vehicle. The sedan was dropped off at the police station by Khedkar’s family driver. The car is currently at the traffic division of the Chaturshrungi police station. The sedan has been seized under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rohidas Pawar said, “We have seized the vehicle for the unauthorized use of a red beacon, and the process to scrutinize all valid documents and papers is underway.”

When the registration number was checked online, it was found that the car is registered under the name of a private engineering company. The officers approached the Khedkar family to verify the car’s documents, but there was no response. The police department then issued a notice to Pooja Khedkar regarding the alleged use of a beacon on a private car.

The officers also found that the luxury car had fines worth Rs 27,000 against 21 challans. All of these pending challans were recently paid and cleared. Using beacon lights on private vehicles is illegal and that is why the action was taken against the probationary officer.

Pooja Khedkar

Pooja Khedkar is an IAS trainee officer who scored an All-India Rank of 841 in the Union Public Service Commission exam in 2023. She is currently on a 24-month probationary period and was initially posted in Pune. Pooja had demanded unauthorized perks at her office, which led to the controversy.

In addition to using red and blue beacon lights on a private car during her tenure in Pune, there are several other accusations against Pooja. Khedkar is also accused of using the office of Additional Collector Ajay More without permission. She allegedly removed the office furniture without consent and demanded letterheads and other perks that are not available to probationary officers.

Pune Collector Suhas Divase wrote a detailed letter to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra about the incident, leading to her transfer from Pune to Washim.

Beyond misusing her power, the other allegations against the officer are quite serious. According to reports, Pooja claimed in her affidavit that she was visually impaired and mentally ill. She managed to clear the exam despite a low score due to concessions offered to underprivileged candidates.

UPSC candidates, including the specially-abled, are required to undergo medical tests after selection. Khedkar has refused the tests at least five times. Now, questions are being raised about whether the officer is actually disabled or if she simply misused the disability and reservation quota to secure her seat. She is also said to have submitted fake OBC certificates to clear the exam.

Last Thursday, the center formed a one-member panel to investigate the candidature of trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired administrative officer, has assets worth Rs 40 crore and is also accused of pressuring authorities to fulfill his daughter’s demands.