Controversial IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar Faces Allegations of Fake Disability Certificate: Demand for Legal Action

Disabled citizens urge legal action against IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and involved doctors if found guilty of fraudulently obtaining a job with a fake disability certificate.

Disabled citizens have called for stringent legal action against IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and the doctors involved if it is proven that she secured her job using a fake disability certificate. This demand was formally presented to Dr. Pravin Puri, the Commissioner of Disability Welfare, Maharashtra.

Rafiq Khan, representing the disabled community, stated, “The struggle for disabled individuals begins at birth, and they face immense challenges in completing their education and securing employment. Such fraudulent acts deprive genuinely disabled individuals of their rightful opportunities, affecting not only them but also their families. We demand a thorough investigation, and if found guilty, all responsible parties should be charged and severely punished to prevent future occurrences.”

Akash Kumbhar echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive inquiry. “If Pooja Khedkar has indeed obtained a government job with a fake disability certificate, a detailed investigation must be conducted. The Pune Police should file charges against Khedkar, the involved doctors, and the responsible authorities. We must ensure that genuine disabled candidates are not deprived of their rights due to such fraudulent activities,” he said.

During the presentation of the memorandum, other prominent members of the disabled community, including Dharmendra Satav, Surekha Dhawale, Sunanda Bamne, Vishnupant Gundal, and Supriya Lokhande, were present. They stressed the importance of addressing this issue to safeguard the rights and opportunities of genuinely disabled individuals.