In a dramatic turn of events, Manorama Khedkar, mother of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, has been apprehended by police in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Her arrest follows an extensive search prompted by a viral video where she was seen wielding a gun in a dispute over land.
According to reports by NDTV, Manorama used a fake Aadhaar card under the alias “Indubai” to conceal her identity while residing at a lodge in Raigad. She arrived at the lodge in a private cab and claimed the cab driver as her son. Police tracked her down using GPS technology and placed her in custody on Thursday. She has since been remanded in police custody for two days by a Pune court.
The incident in question revolves around a land dispute concerning a parcel purchased by Puja’s father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired bureaucrat, in Dhadwali village, Pune. Allegations suggest that the Khedkars encroached upon land belonging to neighboring farmers, leading to tensions escalating to the point captured in the viral video.
While Manorama faces legal repercussions, Dilip Khedkar, also implicated in the gun-related case, remains at large. Police efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him, with dedicated teams deployed for the task.
Meanwhile, Puja Khedkar’s career as a probationary IAS officer faces uncertainty. Her district training program has been suspended, and she has been instructed to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie for further actions deemed necessary. Puja herself is under investigation for allegations of indiscipline and misuse of privileges related to physical disability and OBC non-creamy layer quota benefits. A panel appointed by the Centre is currently probing these allegations.
The controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar deepened when Pune collector Suhas Diwase raised concerns with Maharashtra chief secretary Sujata Saunik about Puja’s conduct during her tenure. Allegations include unauthorized use of official privileges such as demanding a separate office and using a beacon on her private vehicle.
As the legal and administrative investigations unfold, this incident casts a shadow over the Khedkar family and raises questions about governance and ethical conduct within bureaucratic circles.
Sources By Agencies
