July 14th 2024.
Over the weekend, Pune police took possession of a luxurious car that was being used by Pooja Khedkar, a young and controversial probationary IAS officer. It was discovered that she had illegally installed a red beacon light on the car, which caught the attention of the authorities.
The Pune Regional Transport Office had issued a notice to a private company in the city, which was the registered owner of the Audi car that Khedkar was using during her posting in Pune. The address mentioned on the registration was Shivane village in Haveli taluka.
Khedkar had recently been in the news for making demands such as a separate cabin and staff during her posting in Pune. There were also allegations that she had used her disability and backward class quota to secure a position in the Indian Administrative Service.
Further investigation revealed that Khedkar had not only installed a red beacon light on the car without permission, but also had the words "Maharashtra Government" written on it. As a result, she was transferred to Washim district before completing her training.
A senior police official stated that a notice had been issued against the unauthorized use of a beacon and name sign on the private sedan that Khedkar had been using. The car has now been confiscated and its documents are being checked. The matter is being further probed.
To ensure that the car is not used in any illegal activities, a jammer was installed and barricades were placed around it. It was also found that a total of 21 challans were issued against the Audi car for traffic violations, amounting to a fine of Rs. 27,000, which has been paid.
According to section 108 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, the state government has the authority to grant permission for the use of red or amber beacon lights on official vehicles for VIPs, VVIPs, and government officials. In 2014, following the directives of the Supreme Court, the state government revised the list of government posts entitled to use beacons.
In October 2014, the transport commissioner's office had instructed various departments to remove beacons from vehicles of officials who were not entitled to use them. As per the revised list, only top officials above the secretary level in the state government, police officers of and above the rank of inspector general of police, and regional commissioners are allowed to use amber beacons without flashers. Top-level district officials are entitled to use blue beacons.
In response to the controversy, the Centre has formed a single-member committee to investigate Khedkar's candidature for the 2023-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre. An additional secretary-rank officer will conduct the probe to verify Khedkar's claims and other details. Sources have stated that if found guilty, she may face termination from service.
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