Puja Khedkar files harassment complaint against Pune collector

Puja Khedkar, an IAS probationer, accused Pune collector Suhas Diwase of harassing her at a Tuesday meeting with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).

Following the collector Diwase's complaint to the government about Khedkar's incursion into the cabin of extra collector Ajay More, his use of an Audi for official business, and his installation of a beacon light on a private vehicle, Khedkar found himself in hot water.

She moved from Pune to the Washim district shortly afterwards. The Department of General Administration had adopted a permissive stance. However, later on, further inconsistencies in her choice were revealed.

Khedkar stated that she wanted to register a statement on Monday night. She claimed to be a lady and that she could file an FIR anywhere to the officials in Washington. Ultimately, her testimony, in which she claimed Diwase had harassed her, was recorded by a police squad under the command of a female deputy superintendent of police. Anuj Tare, the superintendent of police in Washington, remained silent on the subject.

Copies of the statement have been forwarded to all pertinent authorities. In response to a question concerning Khedkar's accusations against Diwase, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik stated, 'A preliminary investigation procedure will be adhered to.'

According to sources, Khedkar was questioned on Monday by Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, who also accused Diwase of identical offences.

A senior government official stated, 'It's possible that levelling all of these allegations was an afterthought. Why hadn't she filed charges sooner? Why does the statement omit to specify the day and hour of her encounter with the collector? Except for the antechamber, the whole Pune collectorate is protected by a CCTV network.'

When questioned why she thought police would show up at the guest home in Washim where she was staying, Puja Khedkar replied, 'I summoned female cops for my job. You'll quickly understand why I phoned female law enforcement.'

Ajay More, whose antechamber Puja is claimed to have taken during her service in Pune, stated he is unaware of any complaints the trainee officer may have made.

'I don't know anything about this as I was busy today in Baramati and now returning to Pune,' Diwase stated when reached. I haven't gotten a copy. I am thus unable to remark on the situation.

Also Read: IAS probationer Puja Khedkar Audi seized by Pune traffic police