Pune Police Issues Notice To Mother of IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Over Firearm Misuse
Aundh/Pune, 14th July 2024: The Pune City police issued a notice on Saturday to Manorama Khedkar, mother of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, regarding the potential cancellation of her firearm license. This action follows a rioting and threatening case registered against her by the Paud police station (under Pune rural police) on Friday.
Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar stated, “Our records show that the Pune police issued the firearm license to Manorama in 2000. It was not intended for misuse as depicted in the video. We will take legal action after receiving her response to our notice.”
Today, a Pune Police team visited Manorama Khedkar’s bungalow at National Housing Society on Baner Road, Aundh, but finding no one at home, they left. Later, a copy of the notice was pasted outside the bungalow.
The police have issued another notice asking why the used pistol should not be confiscated.
The video, which went viral on Friday, shows Manorama brandishing a firearm during an altercation with farmers over a land dispute in remote Dhadawali village located between Panshet and Varasgaon dams in Mulshi taluka. The Pune Rural police confirmed the video’s authenticity and verified that it was recorded during the incident on June 5, 2023. A farmer’s complaint led to charges being filed against Manorama, her husband Dilip Khedkar, bouncers who accompanied them.
Manorama’s lawyer, Ravindra Sutar, explained on Friday that the land dispute is currently pending before the civil court in Shivajinagar. Sutar asserted that his client carried her licensed firearm for self-defence, citing the secluded nature of the land in question.
Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh stated, “Our team visited the village to conduct a spot panchanama and record witness statements. Our investigation is ongoing, and we will decide on further actions based on the findings related to the individuals named in the FIR.”
