IAS Puja Khedkar's Dad Dileep Owns Assets Worth Rs 40 Crore. Who is He?

New Delhi: The recent transfer of 2023-batch IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has ignited a heated controversy in Pune and across Maharashtra. Khedkar, who made headlines for her demands of a separate cabin and dedicated staff, is now under scrutiny for her Disability and OBC Creamy Layer Certificates. As the situation unfolds, attention has shifted to her father, Dileep Khedkar, whose substantial wealth has come to light.

A widely circulated video of a mock interview with Puja Khedkar shows her explaining to the panel why she declared her father's income as zero. She stated that they are no longer financially connected, noting that her father is a retired Maharashtra government servant. However, this claim has come under question amidst the controversy.

Watch | IAS Trainee Puja Khedkar's mock interview 

Dileep Khedkar's Influence and Wealth

As the controversy escalated, it was revealed that Dileep Khedkar, a retired administrative officer, exerted significant pressure on the District Collector's office to accommodate his daughter's demands, warning officials of potential repercussions if they failed to comply. 

This revelation has further fueled the debate surrounding Puja Khedkar's transfer and her family's influence.

The controversy deepened with the surfacing of an election affidavit of Dileep Khedkar, which disclosed his assets exceeding Rs 40 crore.

After retiring from his position in the state government, he ventured into politics, running for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as a candidate from the Ahmednagar constituency.