Pune: Revenue staff in the district back collector on harassment charges by IAS trainee
Taking cognizance of the harassment complaint made by the under-training IAS officer Puja Khedkar against Pune district collector Suhas Diwase, Pune police asked her to remain present in the city to record her statement with regards to her complaint.
However, the officer has neither visited the city nor sent any communication regarding the complaint. Khedkar had alleged harassment by the Pune collector and complained to Washim police while being posted there. The complaint was then transferred to Pune police for further investigation, as per normal procedure.
Meanwhile, Revenue officials at the Pune collectorate submitted a memorandum to the divisional commissioner expressing their support to a senior officer accused of harassment by an IAS trainee officer on Thursday. The memorandum is collectively endorsed by various organizations representing talathis, tehsildars and revenue officers.
Pune District Co-ordination Committee of Maharashtra State Gazette Officers Association has written a letter to the Pune divisional commissioner extending support to Diwase, stating that Khedkar’s complaint was aimed at tarnishing the image of a senior IAS officer with impeccable credentials.
The letter issued by the association stated, “Diwase believes in transparency and accountability where government rules have to be followed in letter and spirit. Khedkar has levelled baseless allegations for her selfish motive and appropriate action must be taken against her. All the revenue and administrative officials are firmly behind the district collector for upholding the rule of law and service discipline.”
In a related development, state revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Thursday took an exception to the IAS trainee officer’s harassment claim. “It is improper for a trainee officer to level such allegations against a senior officer,” the minister said, while responding to reporters in Nashik seeking his view on the matter, reported TOI. In its report, TOI further stated, quoting a senior police officer, “The IAS trainee officer did not turn up at the police commissioner’s office to record her statement on Thursday. She can reach the Pune police commissioner’s office anytime.”
