New Delhi: Amid accusations that trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar submitted fake disability certificates to secure her job, attention has now turned to Abhishek Singh, a former 2011 batch IAS officer who resigned last year to pursue acting. Singh has come under scrutiny after his dance and gym videos became viral on social media.
Several users criticized Singh’s claim of having a locomotor disability to avail concessions in the UPSC selection process, calling for greater transparency and accountability in bureaucratic selections.
In response to the allegations, Singh defended himself, stating, “I am being targeted for supporting reservations. I have achieved everything through hard work and courage, not through reservation.” He emphasized his contributions to social causes like United by Blood and the No-Shame Movement, independent of government assistance. Singh advocated for reservation in government jobs based on population proportions, suggesting those with talent should pursue fields like business, sports, or acting, where reservation does not apply.
Meanwhile, Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch IAS officer, faced controversy over her use of a siren on a private Audi and demands for privileges not typically available to junior officers. However, more serious allegations emerged as she claimed visual and mental impairment in an affidavit to the UPSC without undergoing mandatory medical tests to verify her disabilities.
The Centre has formed a one-member committee to investigate the allegations against Puja Khedkar, who may face dismissal and potential criminal charges if found guilty of misrepresentation and hiding facts.
