After Puja Khedkar, This Former IAS Officer Is Under Scanner Over Disability Claims

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversies regarding IAS Officer Puja Khedkar, including her alleged false disability claims, another IAS officer's name has cropped up in a similar case.

Former IAS Officer Abhishek Singh, who resigned from his post to become an actor, is now under the scanner over his disability claims.

This Ex-IAS Officer Under Fire Over Disability Claims

IAS Officer Abhishek Singh, of the 2011 batch resigned in 2023, to become an actor. He has come under the scanner after videos of him in the gym and dancing went viral on social media.

The former civil servant had claimed to have locomotor disability to avail privileges and/or concessions in the selection process of UPSC.

This comes amid the controversies that IAS officer Puja Khedkar is surrounded with, especially about her submitting fake disability certificates just to get the job. 

Netizens Question Abhishek Singh

Several netizens have been reacting to these videos, questioning his disability claims and also calling for better accountability and transparency in the process.

One user said, "Brother, you said so much but did not tell how, because of LD, you applied for handicapped quota and became an IAS. And now, you are lifting weights in the gym?'

Another user said, “This fraud is living the life of a Bollywood hero by taking a seat meant for a handicapped.. Now that he has been caught, he is hiding under the guise of social justice.”

Former IAS Officer Abhishek Singh Issues Clarification, Pens Long Note

Amid the ongoing controversy with respect to his disability claims, Abhishek Singh penned down a long note in Hindi on his ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) account. 

The civil servant-turned-actor said, “Although I am not affected by any criticism, but this is the first time in my lifetime that I am answering my critics. And that is because thousands of my supporters are telling me that you should answer otherwise our morale will break. So it is my moral duty to put the truth in front so that their trust is not broken. So this answer is dedicated to my supporters and not to the critics.”

In a strong statement to his haters, Abhishek Singh further said, “First you questioned my caste and said that I am a liar, then you said that I am asking for my job back, and now you are saying that I got the job through reservation. I want to tell you something very humbly. Abhishek Singh is known for his masculinity, hard work and courage. Not because of anyone's favour. Whatever I have achieved in my life, I have achieved it on my own strength, not on the basis of any reservation.”

The former IAS officer ended the long note with the words, “Think twice before you criticize me in the future, I am not a shy girl who will sit down in fear. I move on the strength of my talent, my confidence and my courage, not on the strength of someone's father.”