The non-creamy layer OBC certificate of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar has been cancelled by the Nashik Divisional Commissioner on grounds of suppression of information, even as she has challenged the cancellation. She has claimed that the cancellation happened under pressure. “We have challenged the cancellation of the certificate to Puja. The hearing is going on in the State Secretariat. Anyway, the most important thing is her selection was not done through the creamy layer OBC category. So it does not matter. In our appeal, we have stated that the decision has been taken under pressure, and is wrong,” Dileep Khedkar, Puja Khedkar’s father, told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The divisional commissioner had cancelled the certificate over a month ago, top official sources told The Hindu. The family was seen to possess assets disproportionate to their income claims. A complex administrative process was followed before the cancellation of the former probationer’s certificate.

Faking identity

The former IAS probationer has been accused of cheating and wrongly utilising OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Ms. Khedkar is also accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the 2022 UPSC civil services examination to avail reservation benefits. She has refuted all the allegations against her.

The UPSC has also initiated a series of actions against Ms. Khedkar, including lodging a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity. Delhi Police too has filed an FIR against her for various offences.

According to the rules, the creamy layer certificate limitation is an annual parental income of ₹8 lakh. But as per an RTI activist, her father had declared property valued at ₹40 crore in an election affidavit filed during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The property he possesses includes 110 acres of agricultural land, no less than seven flats, 900 grams of gold, a gold watch worth ₹17 lakh, and four cars, RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar earlier told The Hindu. He also alleged that Ms. Khedkar herself possessed property worth ₹17 crore.