Puja Khedkar Alleges Media Trial; ‘Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Truth Will Eventually Come Out’

Mumbai: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is facing allegations of misusing OBC quota and disability provisions to secure a position in the civil service, said on Monday truth will prevail after she makes her submission before the single-member committee set up by the Central government to probe the charges.

“This is a media trial, and people are watching. The truth will eventually come out. According to the Indian Constitution, a person cannot be considered guilty until the charges are proven,” Puja told mediapersons in Maharashtra’s Washim.

“I will testify before the committee and say everything I need to. I think whatever decision the committee takes should be acceptable to all. My job here as a probationer is to work and learn, and that is what I am doing. I cannot make any comments on that,” she said.

The committee will re-examine documents that Puja submitted to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for IAS selection.

Under scanner are two medical certificates — one claiming visual impairment and the other mental illness — to the Union Public Service Commission under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities category.

According to India Today, Puja tried to get a third medical certificate from a hospital in Pune, but the request was rejected by the medical facility.

A 2023-batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre, Puja has been under intense media glare after she allegedly requested special privileges from the Pune Collector’s office that were not permitted for her designation.