The Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pune has concluded in an internal investigation that there was no wrongdoing in issuing a seven percent locomotor disability certificate to IAS officer Puja Khedkar, according to senior official Dr. Rajendra Wable. Dr. Wable stated that the internal report confirmed the certificate was issued following thorough assessments by the physiotherapy and orthopedic departments, and the medical tests were conducted according to the rules with no foul play detected.
The findings also indicated that Khedkar’s claim of a locomotor disability did not justify any benefits for becoming an IAS officer, clarifying that the certificate did not offer advantages in education or employment.
Dr. Wable addressed claims regarding Khedkar using a private company’s address for her medical certificate, stating that verifying the address was not within the hospital’s responsibilities, only confirming that the person belonged to the Pimpri Chinchwad area, which was checked.
Puja Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer, is under scrutiny for allegedly using false disability and OBC quota claims to secure her civil service position. She was transferred from Pune to Washim earlier this year for allegedly abusing her power by demanding perks and occupying the office of an additional collector while still on probation.
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, recalled Khedkar and put her probationary period on hold following the allegations.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) also filed a police case against Khedkar for attempting the civil services exam beyond the permissible limit by falsifying her identity. Additionally, the Commission issued a show cause notice to cancel her candidature in the 2022 civil services exam and debar her from future attempts.
-Simran
