'Proving me...': IAS officer Puja Khedkar breaks silence on fake certificate row

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has broken her silence on allegations of misrepresenting herself under the physical disabilities and non-creamy layer of OBC categories to secure an IAS position. The 34-year-old officer landed in controversy over alleged misuse of power and privileges. Now the Maharashtra cadre officer said that Indian Constitution is based on the fact 'Innocent until proven guilty'. Hence, proving her guilty by media trial is wrong.

Talking to reporters on Monday, she said, "I will testify in front of the expert committee and we will accept the decision of the committee...I do not have the right to tell you whatever investigation is going on. Whatever submission I have, will become public later. Our Indian Constitution is based on the fact 'Innocent until proven guilty' so proving me guilty by media trial is wrong..."

WATCH  Maharashtra: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar says "I will testify in front of the expert committee and we will accept the decision of the committee...I do not have the right to tell you whatever investigation is going on. Whatever submission I have, will become public… pic.twitter.com/vsGISCyRho — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2024

The IAS officer was recently transferred from Pune to Washim in Maharashtra for misusing her authority. She is a probationary IAS officer who secured an All India Rank of 821 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam.

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