Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer currently under scrutiny for alleged manipulation of disability and OBC certificates, received a “7 per cent locomotor disability certificate” from Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pune in August 2022, despite initial reports from the hospital’s physiotherapy department indicating no disability.
According to an India Today report, Khedkar applied for the disability certificate at YCM Hospital, citing an injury to her left knee from a minor accident in 2018. However, the hospital’s physiotherapy department found no substantial evidence of disability. No MRI scan was conducted, and no medical records from the year of the accident were reviewed during her examination.
The issuance of the disability certificate has been controversial. Khedkar used address proof during her application that was later found to be fraudulent, coming from a fake ration card. An internal investigation by YCM Hospital confirmed that the certificate was issued following a comprehensive evaluation, but did not address the allegations regarding the fraudulent documents used.
Rajendra Wable, Dean of YCM Hospital, stated, “The internal report confirmed that the certificate was issued after a thorough evaluation by our physiotherapy and orthopaedic departments, and all medical tests were conducted as per regulations. No misconduct was found.” Wable also noted that the investigation refuted claims that Khedkar’s disability was valid for any advantages in her IAS bid.
In addition to the disability certificate controversy, Puja Khedkar is facing legal challenges. The Patiala House Court in Delhi is set to hear her anticipatory bail application concerning an FIR lodged against her. The FIR alleges that Khedkar falsified her identity to exceed the permissible number of attempts for the civil services examination.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a show cause notice seeking the cancellation of Khedkar’s selection and barring her from future examinations. According to UPSC, Khedkar fraudulently used different names, photographs, signatures, and contact details to bypass examination rules.
Khedkar, who was provisionally recommended for the Civil Services Examination 2022, faces significant legal and administrative repercussions as investigations continue into her alleged misconduct.
Sources By Agencies
