IAS probationer Puja Khedkar accused her former boss and Pune collector Suhas Diwase of harassing her, saying that he grabbed her hand when she received an attachment from the Pune collectorate. Puja Khedkar was summoned by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) on Tuesday.
Allegations and Transfer
Following collector Diwase’s complaint to the government about Khedkar’s incursion into the cabin of extra collector Ajay More, his use of an Audi for official business, and his installation of a beacon light on a private vehicle, Khedkar found himself in hot water. She was moved from Pune to the Washim district shortly afterward. The department of general administration had adopted a permissive stance. However, later on, further inconsistencies in her choice were revealed.
Khedkar’s Testimony
Khedkar stated that she wants to register a statement on Monday night. She claimed to be a lady and that she could file a FIR anywhere with the officials in Washington. Ultimately, her testimony, in which she claimed Diwase had harassed her, was recorded by a police squad under the command of a female deputy superintendent of police. Anuj Tare, the superintendent of police in Washington, remained silent on the subject.
In response to a question concerning Khedkar’s accusations against Diwase, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik stated, “A preliminary investigation procedure will be adhered to.”
According to sources, Khedkar was questioned on Monday by Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, who also accused Diwase of identical offenses.
Doubts on Allegations
A senior government source stated, “It’s possible that leveling all of these allegations was an afterthought. Why hadn’t she filed charges sooner? Why does the statement omit to specify the day and hour of her encounter with the collector? Except for the antechamber, the whole Pune collectorate is protected by a CCTV network.”
When questioned why she thought police would show up to the guest home in Washim where she was staying, Puja Khedkar replied, “I summoned female cops for my own job. You’ll quickly understand why I called female law enforcement.”
Response from Ajay More and Suhas Diwase
Ajay More, whose antechamber Puja is claimed to have taken during her service in Pune, stated he is unaware of any complaints the trainee officer may have made.
“I don’t know anything about this, as I was busy today in Baramati and am now returning to Pune,” Diwase stated when reached. I haven’t gotten a copy. I am thus unable to comment on the situation.
OBC’s quota dispute
After Puja Khedkar’s claims that she was a member of the OBC non-creamy layer were scrutinized by a suo motu probe initiated by Maharashtra OBC welfare minister Atul Save, problems for Khedkar escalated. Khedkar had indicated that she was an OBC non-creamy layer candidate in order to take the UPSC test.
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