IAS probationer Puja Khedkar Audi seized by Pune traffic police

On July 14, the Pune Traffic Police confiscated the luxurious automobile driven by trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar amid allegations of abuse of authority. The automobile has been transported to the police station. Khedkar is being investigated for possible abuse of her Other Backward Class (OBC) and Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) credentials.

The Audi was brought to Chaturshrangi Police Station days after the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) sent a notice to a city-based private firm that is the registered owner of the luxury automobile Khedkar utilised during her service.

The automobile is detained at the Chaturshrangi Police Station's traffic division, where a jammer and barriers have been placed.

The 34-year-old probationary IAS official reportedly used a red beacon light on the Audi and had the phrase 'Maharashtra Government' inscribed on it without authorization.

'On Thursday, a notice was issued for the unlawful use of a beacon and name sign on Khedkar's private sedan. The automobile has now been taken, its documentation will be verified, and we are looking into the situation further,' a senior police officer said on Sunday.

Only high state officials above the secretary level, police officers above the rank of inspector general of police, and regional commissioners are permitted to use amber beacons without flashers, although top-level district authorities may use blue beacons.

Khedkar gained attention after sparking a stir over her demands for privileges not provided to probationary officials in the IAS. The situation grew after suspicions of presenting forged handicaps and OBC certificates to pass the civil services test surfaced.

The federal government has formed a single-member committee to investigate Khedkar's candidature claims and other allegations of misuse of authority as a state official. According to a statement from the Ministry of Personnel, the committee will be led by a senior officer with the rank of Additional Secretary under the Central Government and will present its findings within two weeks.

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