In a surprising turn of events, Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee officer entangled in controversy, is reportedly missing and believed to have escaped to Dubai following the rejection of her anticipatory bail plea by a Delhi court last Thursday. This development has sparked a flurry of speculation regarding her current whereabouts.

Khedkar, whose mobile has been off and untraceable for the past few weeks, has become the center of a heated debate after allegations surfaced about her misrepresenting her disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) status during her application process for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The controversy has not only tarnished her public image but has also led to severe legal repercussions.

The situation escalated when Khedkar failed to appear at the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy Of Administration in Mussoorie on the scheduled date of July 23. Her absence further fueled rumors and concerns about her intentions and her current location.

Adding to the drama, shortly after Delhi’s Patiala House court dismissed her anticipatory bail plea on August 1, stating that the allegations were severe and warranted "a thorough investigation," whispers of her fleeing to Dubai began to circulate. This speculation arose almost immediately after the court's decision, adding a layer of intrigue to the already complex case.

The community and media have been vigilant, as Khedkar has not only evaded contact with the press but has seemingly vanished, leaving many questions unanswered.

The legal woes for Puja Khedkar, a former IAS trainee, intensified significantly last week when Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala remarked, "Custodial interrogation of the accused is required to unearth the whole conspiracy and to establish involvement of the other persons involved in conspiracy." This statement came as the court denied her request for bail, highlighting the need for a more rigorous investigation into the allegations against her.

The rejection of Khedkar’s bail plea occurred just one day after another severe blow to her career—her provisional candidature for the civil services was cancelled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Moreover, the UPSC has permanently barred her from participating in all future exams or selections it administers.

This decision was made public on Wednesday, July 31, following a detailed review of her case. The UPSC disclosed that after examining the records, it found Khedkar had acted in violation of the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2022 Rules. This decision underscores the severity of the accusations against her and the implications for her future.

In its investigation, the UPSC also reviewed the records of over 15,000 candidates who had been finally recommended for civil services from the years 2009 to 2023—a span of 15 years. It was discovered that Khedkar was the only individual who had exceeded the permissible number of attempts as outlined in the CSE Rules, marking her as an outlier in a vast pool of candidates.

Puja Khedkar's situation further deteriorated in June when Pune Collector Suhas Diwase raised serious concerns about her conduct. In a communication to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Diwase detailed how Khedkar had improperly demanded perks such as a car, staff, and an office, which were not justified during her two-year probation period. This inappropriate request promptly resulted in her transfer to Washim, underscoring the immediate consequences of her actions.

The spotlight intensified on Khedkar following her selection for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which subsequently led to more severe scrutiny. Investigations revealed that she had utilized the relaxed criteria available for Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates and persons with disabilities inappropriately. This revelation brought her ethical judgment into question and sparked debates about the integrity of her application.

Further complicating her situation, it was uncovered that her father, Dilip Khedkar, who had served as an officer in the Maharashtra government, owned property worth approximately 40 crores. This substantial asset disqualified her from being eligible for the OBC non-creamy layer category, which is meant to support candidates from less privileged backgrounds.

Moreover, allegations surfaced that Khedkar had manipulated her documents to sit for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination multiple times, exploiting the system to her benefit. This manipulation not only cast a shadow over her past actions but also raised questions about the oversight of such critical examination processes.

As Khedkar faces these accusations, the ramifications extend beyond her immediate career prospects to the broader administrative practices within the civil services, prompting calls for more stringent checks and balances to prevent such abuses in the future.