MUMBAI, (IANS): In a major development, the
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) said on Friday that it has initiated
criminal proceedings against Maharashtra cadre (2023) IAS Probationary Officer
Puja Khedkar for a series of irregularities perpetrated by her.
The
UPSC said in a statement that it has also served Khedkar with a show-cause
notice for “cancellation of her candidature of the Civil Services Examination
(CSE)-2022/debarment from future examinations/selections”, in accordance with
the rules of the CSE-2022.
The
statutory body said that it conducted a detailed investigation into the
misdemeanour by Khedkar, whom it described as “a provisionally recommended
candidate” for the CSE-2022
“The
investigation has revealed that she fraudulently availed attempts beyond the
permissible limits under the examination rules by faking her identity by way of
changing her name, her parents' names, her photograph/signature, her email ID,
mobile number and address,” the UPSC said.
Accordingly,
the UPSC has initiated a series of actions against her, including criminal
proceedings by filing an FIR with the police, besides serving her a show-cause
notice.
The
UPSC said that in fulfilling its constitutional obligations, it stringently
adheres to its constitutional mandate, and conducts all its processes,
including all examinations, with the highest possible order of due diligence
without any compromise.
The
UPSC reiterated that it has ensured the sanctity and integrity of all its
examination processes with utmost fairness and strict observance of rules.
“The
UPSC has deservedly earned the trust and credibility of a very high order from
the public, especially the candidates. The UPSC is unequivocally committed to
ensuring that such a high order of trust and credibility remains intact and
uncompromised,” the statement said.
Following
a series of exposes against her, Khedkar, currently appointed as Assistant
Collector, Washim, was last week removed from her field assignment and ordered
to report back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration,
Mussoorie, ‘for further action’.