IAS Puja Khedkar’s Parents Absconding, Pune Rural Police Searching To Arrest Them

Reported by Tikam Shekhawat

Pune, 15th July 2024: An FIR has been registered by Pune rural police against trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s parents for allegedly threatening farmers with a pistol over a land dispute in Mulshi taluka. However, ever since the case was registered at Paud police station, the Khedkar couple has gone into hiding.

Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh told Punekar News, “The accused are on the run. We are trying to contact them, but they are not reachable. They are not cooperating with the police as their phones are switched off. We have also tried to reach their residence, but they are not available. Several teams, including officials from the local crime branch and local police stations, are searching for them in Pune and nearby places where they have some farmhouses and other residences. If found, we will question them and take action accordingly. In case there is no response in two days, we will initiate the arrest process.”

According to the police, the incident took place in June last year in Dhadwali village, located between Panshet and Varasgaon dams in Mulshi taluka. There is a land dispute between the farmers and the Khedkars. During one incident, Manorama Khedkar, the mother of Puja Khedkar, is seen brandishing a licensed pistol and threatening the farmers. A video of the incident went viral after Puja Khedkar came into the limelight due to her behavior during her posting at the Pune District Collector office.

Following this, the farmers lodged a complaint, resulting in the registration of the FIR.