Who is Pooja Khedkar? Pune trainee IAS officer transferred amid 'Audi with beacon' controversy, WhatsApp chats go viral

Digital Desk: Recent revelations from WhatsApp chats have thrust Pooja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS trainee officer, into the spotlight amid allegations of misconduct and misuse of power. Khedkar, who was transferred from Pune to Washim in Maharashtra, faced scrutiny after demanding a suite of privileges before assuming her role as assistant collector.

According to reports by India Today, Khedkar's messages to Pune district collector Suhas Diwase IAS exposed her requests for a separate office, residence, vehicle, and staff. These demands, considered excessive for a probationary officer, raised eyebrows and triggered an investigation into her conduct.

The controversy deepened when Khedkar was accused of utilizing her private Audi car, equipped with a red beacon light and VIP number plate, despite her probationary status. Her insistence on special treatment and facilities before officially joining her post on June 3, 2024, further fueled the controversy.

In response to these revelations, the Maharashtra chief secretary was notified by the district collector about the unusual demands made by Khedkar. It was clarified to her that as a trainee officer, she was not entitled to such privileges, although accommodation was assured.

Moreover, additional allegations surfaced regarding Khedkar's submission of allegedly fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates, as well as a mental illness certificate. These documents were reportedly under scrutiny since she failed to comply with verification procedures at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, citing a Covid-19 infection.

The situation has also drawn attention to Khedkar's familial connections, notably her father Deelip Khedkar's involvement in politics as a Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Reports suggest that he exerted pressure on the district collector's office to fulfill his daughter's demands.

As the controversy unfolds, Pooja Khedkar remains under investigation, serving as a supernumerary Assistant Collector in Washim until July 30, 2025. The revelations from her WhatsApp communications have sparked controversies on bureaucratic ethics and the accountability of public officials in Maharashtra.