Puja Khedkar, a trainee IAS officer embroiled in a significant controversy over alleged misuse of power and privileges, has condemned the media for prematurely declaring her guilty. The 34-year-old faces accusations of using fraudulent means to clear her civil services exam, including allegedly misrepresenting herself under the physical disabilities and non-creamy layer of OBC categories.

"The media trial proving me guilty is wrong," Khedkar stated. "Our Indian Constitution is based on the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty.' So, the media trial is actually wrong. You can say it is alleged, but proving me guilty like this is wrong."

Khedkar expressed her intention to testify before the expert committee and accept its decision. "Whatever my submission is, I will give it in front of the committee and the truth will come out," she added.

The controversy arose after Pune RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar questioned Khedkar's appointment in the civil services, alleging that her father owned assets worth ₹40 crore, disqualifying her from the OBC non-creamy layer category. "As per the rules, only those whose parents earn under ₹8 lakh per annum qualify for the OBC non-creamy layer category. Her parents' income shows ₹40 crore, and their property details are in the affidavit from the recent Lok Sabha polls," Kumbhar stated.

Khedkar is also under scrutiny for allegedly abusing her authority and submitting fraudulent disability and caste certificates to qualify for the civil services exam. The collector of Pune, where Khedkar was posted as an assistant collector, raised a complaint with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, alleging that she misused a red beacon and a "Government of Maharashtra" sticker on her private Audi car, and improperly utilized the office of Pune Additional Collector Ajay More. She reportedly removed office furniture, demanded letterheads, a VIP number plate, and requested a separate house and car, perks unavailable to junior officers on probation.

She was subsequently transferred to Washim district.

“My job here as a probationer is to work and learn, and that is what I am doing. I cannot make any comments on the ongoing probe. Whenever the committee's decision comes, it will be public and open to scrutiny. But right now, I don't have any right to discuss the investigation,” she said while speaking to reporters.

Amid the controversy, it has emerged that Khedkar had submitted a non-creamy layer OBC certificate to secure admission to an MBBS course in 2007. Arvind Bhore, Director of Shrimati Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, confirmed that Khedkar secured a seat through the Association of Management of Unaided Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Maharashtra (AMUPDMC) entrance test, furnishing a non-creamy layer OBC certificate.

Khedkar also attempted to secure a disability certificate in August 2022 but was denied by doctors who examined her.

When asked about these certificates, Khedkar said, "The expert committee has been established to probe these technical things. I will submit my response to the committee. Let the experts decide. Whatever the case is, it will come in front of the public."

A case has also been filed against Khedkar's parents, Manorma Khedkar and Dilip Khedkar, for allegedly threatening farmers with a pistol.