Dilip Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra government officer, and father of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, is currently evading authorities after a case was registered against him and his wife, Manorama Khedkar.
The couple came under the spotlight following a viral video showing Manorama threatening people with a gun. Additionally, the Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched an investigation into Dilip Khedkar’s assets, suspecting them to be disproportionate to his income.
ALSO READ: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar summoned back to academy amid controversies
Why Dilip Khedkar was suspended twice
Dilip Khedkar has a history of suspensions on corruption charges, having faced such actions in 2018 and 2020. The NDTV reported that in 2015, over 300 small business owners accused him of extortion and causing undue trouble. In 2018, while serving as Regional Officer in Kolhapur, the local sawmill and timber merchants association accused him of demanding bribes between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 to restore their power and water supplies.
Further allegations against Dilip Khedkar include a period of unauthorized absence for six to seven months and a 2019 complaint alleging he demanded Rs 20 lakh from a company.
ALSO READ: Puja Khedkar is indeed suffering from depression, myopic degeneration leading to 51% disability: Hospital report
His 2020 suspension was enforced under multiple sections of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and the Maharashtra Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, citing numerous complaints and an ongoing inquiry.
Why the Khedkar family came to limelight
The Khedkar family’s assets have come under scrutiny amid the probe into 34-year-old Puja Khedkar, whose selection as an IAS officer has raised significant questions. An ACB complaint flagged extensive land, vehicles, and companies owned by Dilip Khedkar. After initial questioning by authorities, Dilip and Manorama Khedkar became unreachable, prompting a police search.
Join us on WhatsApp, click here
The controversy intensified when Pune district collector Suhas Diwase wrote to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik regarding Puja Khedkar’s demands for unauthorized perks. Investigations revealed that Puja Khedkar was selected as an IAS officer claiming reservations as a person with a disability and an OBC candidate. However, she failed to attend a medical check-up to verify her disability claim, submitting a private facility’s report instead.
Puja Khedkar’s claims for OBC reservation benefits have also been challenged. RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar highlighted discrepancies, pointing out that Dilip Khedkar’s affidavit from a Lok Sabha election showed assets worth Rs 40 crore and an annual income of Rs 49 lakh, far exceeding the eligibility criteria for OBC reservation.
“Her father, Dilip Khedkar, in his Lok Sabha polls affidavit showed a conservative estimated wealth of Rs 40 crores and an annual income of Rs 49 lakh. The information is in the public domain,” Kumbhar said.
In response to these revelations, the Centre has ordered an investigation into the IAS selection of Puja Khedkar and her training has been put on hold.
