New Delhi (10.07.2024): An IAS probationer of 2023 batch of Maharashtra Dr Pooja Khedkar has landed herself in trouble. She is facing probe related to her alleged fake disability certificate. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) has sought a detailed report from the Maharashtra government on this matter.

Khedkar's appointment was initially denied on February 2, 2022. She filed an affidavit in Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) claiming that she was visually impaired and mentally ill. The court scheduled her medical test five times between July and September 2022. She failed to appear in all her examinations at AIIMS in Delhi citing some or the other reasons. She later submitted a local hospital verification certificate and mysteriously joined civil service. She secured rank 821 (PWD-5).

After joining as an officer, she demanded privileges which is not allowed to probationers. She got Maharashtra government signage fixed on her car private Audi car. She instructed the revenue assistant to provide a letter head, visiting card, paper weight, name plate, royal seal and intercom in her name. She was allegedly occupying the ante room of Additional District Collector Ajay More without his knowledge. All such complaints resulted in her transfer from Pune to Washim. Now, she is facing probe related to her certificate.