Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s training has been put on hold with immediate effect, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration said in a letter on Tuesday. Khedkar was relieved from the District Training Program of Maharashtra and recalled to the Mussoorie Academy. 

The letter from Nitin Gadre, Additional Chief Secretary (P) read, “…LBSNAA, Mussoorie has decided to keep your District Training Program on hold and immediately recall you for further necessary action…” According to the letter by the academy, Khedekar must join back “at the earliest.” She has also been instructed to join no later than July 23 “under any circumstances.” 

Also Read

Earlier in the day, Khedkar slammed “media trial” and said that she was the victim of a deliberate “misinformation” campaign. Talking to reporters in Washim, Khedkar had said that “fake news” was being published and spread every day. requesting media to “behave responsibly”, Khedkar had claimed that she was facing “defamation” about her and her family.

Khedkar previously submitted two certificates from the Ahmednagar District Civil Hospital, dated 2018 and 2021, to the UPSC under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category. In August 2022, she also applied for a disability certificate at the Aundh government hospital in Pune, but her application was rejected following medical tests.