Internal probe clears civic hospital for allegations of wrongdoing in issuing disability Certificate to IAS Officer Puja Khedkar
Jul 24, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 24 : An internal investigation by the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital has found that the seven percent locomotor disability certificate issued to IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in August 2022 was done in accordance with rules and without any wrongdoing.
The probe was initiated after allegations surfaced that Khedkar had used fraudulent means, including manipulating physical disability and OBC quotas, to clear the UPSC examination. The authenticity of her certificates is being investigated.
The hospital's dean, Dr. Rajendra Wable, stated, "The internal report confirmed that the certificate was issued following a thorough assessment by our physiotherapy and orthopaedic departments and the medical test conducted was as per rules and there was no foul play found. However, it has been clarified that the certificate would not provide any benefits in education or employment."
Responding to the allegations that Puja Khedkar had used the address of a private company to obtain the medical certificate, DR Wable said, "Verifying the address doesn't come under the office work of the hospital. We just have to see if the person belongs to the Pimpari Chinchwad area or not and that was checked."
The district collectorate had requested the hospital to investigate potential wrongdoing and file a police complaint if necessary. The hospital's findings have cleared it of any wrongdoing in issuing the certificate.
Earlier on Monday, the Pune court sent Manorama Khedkar, the mother of IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, to 14 days of judicial custody in the case relating to threatening a farmer.
She allegedly threatened a person with a gun over a land dispute in June last year.
Manorama was arrested on Thursday for allegedly threatening a person with a gun over a land dispute in June last year.
Manorama was arrested from a lodge in Raigad district, where she was hiding, and produced before a judicial magistrate. The prosecution alleged that Manorama, along with her husband and three others, threatened the complainant with a gun and added Section 307, stating that she put a gun to the complainant's head and was about to pull the trigger.
