District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase asked me to come to his room and sought sexual favours, alleges Dr Puja Khedkar

Pune: Controversial probationary IAS officer Dr Puja Khedkar moved her anticipatory bail plea in the Patiala Court on Wednesday (July 31).

During the hearing, her lawyer Veena Madhavan levelled a serious allegation against Pune District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase, in whose office Khedkar was a probationary officer. However, she was transferred to Washim after she made unrealistic demands and usurped the office of Additional District Collector.

Her lawyer alleged that Diwase tried to sexually harass Khedkar. She said, “A case has been filed in this regard and legal action is being taken. The UPSC is holding press meets daily over the issue. Khedkar never approached the press. The offence was registered on the instructions of Suhas Diwase. She filed a sexual harassment case against him. Diwase had called her to his room. However, Khedkar refused.”

Khedkar’s lawyer presents arguments

Adv Veena Madhavan made sensational claims during the course of her argument. She said, “They lodged an offence against Puja Khedkar. Now, they are saying that she should be interrogated in police custody. But what did she do? Why were government agencies so prompt in filing a case against her? She should get an opportunity to defend herself. She needs anticipatory bail as she fears arrest.”

Madhavan said, “The media opened a front against her after a case was registered against her. She never approached the media because she trusts the judiciary.”

‘Puja Khedkar is not fraud, she is a fighter’

Khedkar’s lawyer said, “Puja Khedkar is not a fraud. She is a fighter. She had to struggle to take the exam due to her disability. Her parents are divorced. She is a woman. Why was an offence registered against her? Was it because she was a special person? Was it because she is a woman?”