In an unprecedented turn of events, Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee, has been permanently banned from all Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. This stunning revelation exposes a decade-long saga of deceit, involving multiple instances of identity forgery and fraudulent claims. Here’s a deep dive into the scandal that has rocked the civil services community.
The Unveiling of a Fraudulent Career
2012: Puja Khedkar’s journey of deception began in 2012, when she applied for the UPSC examination under the name Khedkar Puja Deeliprao. She falsified her parents’ names and did not claim any disabilities, presenting herself as a typical candidate.
2018: Six years later, Khedkar resurfaced with a new identity—Puja Deelip Khedkar. This time, she falsely claimed to belong to the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category, citing blindness and low vision. Her parents’ names were altered once again.
2019: In her relentless pursuit, Khedkar applied again in 2019, reverting to her 2012 name variation but continuing to exploit the PwBD category.
2020: For the first time, Khedkar kept her and her parents’ names consistent but maintained her false claim of low vision.
2021: Khedkar reinvented herself as Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, altering her parents’ identities once more. She broadened her fraudulent claims, citing multiple disabilities, including mental illness.
2022: In her penultimate attempt, Khedkar continued her deceit by changing her parents’ names and claiming multiple disabilities yet again.
2023: Before her final exposure, Khedkar applied under the name Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, achieving an All-India Rank (AIR) of 841 while maintaining her fictitious disability claims.
The Fallout
Upon discovering her repeated deceit, the UPSC and Delhi Police launched an extensive investigation. The UPSC’s review of 15,000 candidates over 15 years identified Khedkar as the sole candidate to exploit the system so extensively.
In July, Khedkar’s provisional candidature was canceled, and she was permanently debarred from all future UPSC exams. The Delhi Police’s crime branch has charged her with forgery and cheating. The Patiala House Court denied her anticipatory bail, emphasizing the need for custodial interrogation to unravel the full scope of the conspiracy.
The Aftermath and Escape
Reports indicate that Khedkar, fearing arrest, may have fled to Dubai. As a probationary assistant collector in Pune, her tenure was marred by allegations of power misuse and fraudulent claims. Her failure to report back to the IAS academy in Mussoorie by the set deadline only adds to the intrigue.
Conclusion
Puja Khedkar’s decade-long saga of deceit highlights a critical need for stringent verification processes within the UPSC. This case serves as a stern reminder that integrity and honesty are paramount in public service. The UPSC’s decisive actions ensure that such manipulations are curbed, preserving the sanctity of India’s civil services.
