The direction came as it is speculated that Khedkar made the claim of her parents' separation in an attempt to avail of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) non-creamy layer quota in the UPSC. Previously, in a video of her mock interview, when Khedkar was asked why her family income was shown as 'zero' whereas her father was a civil servant, she replied that her parents were separated and she is not in contact with her father.

Notably, Dilip Khedkar, a retired government officer, contested the recent Lok Sabha election and declared his property valued at Rs 40 crore. As per the government rules, candidates with a family income lower than Rs 8 lakh per annum fall under the category of OBC non-creamy layer.

The direction to investigate the marital status of Khedkar's parents stemmed from the allegation that despite the divorce, the couple continued to live together in a bungalow in the Baner area of Pune, owned by Manorama Khedkar. Furthermore, as per media reports, in a recent affidavit submitted by Dilip Khedkar during a recent election, he declared Manorama Khedkar as his wife and detailed shared properties.

The couple's continued participation in public events as a married couple has also been noted as well.

IAS Puja Khedkar Row: Top developments

• 34-year-old IAS officer Khedkar hit headlines as the reports on her alleged demands for a separate office, official car and unauthorised use of a beacon on her private luxurious car emerged. She was subsequently transferred to Washim from Pune.

• Furthermore, allegations of misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure a position in the IAS also surfaced.

• Centre recently put on hold the district training programme of Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Moreover, she was summoned back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) for “necessary action”.

• Khedkar has been booked by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch for allegedly submitting false information to UPSC about her identity to avail more attempts at the civil service exams.

• Amid controversies surrounding Puja Khedkar, her parents Manorama and Dilip Khedkar too came under the spotlight after police registered an FIR against them over a video purportedly showing them threatening some persons with a gun.

• Paud police in Pune rural have booked her parents and five others under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) sections, including 323 (dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property).