Puja Khedkar's parents 'on the run' after FIR filed against them: Police

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who are accused of threatening a farmer with a pistol. According to Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh, the accused, Manorama and Dilip Khedkar, are evading authorities and have turned off their phones, making contact difficult.
«The accused are on the run, we are trying to contact them but they are not reachable as their phones are switched off. We have also tried to reach their residence but they are not available,» SP Deshmukh told ANI.

Deshmukh mentioned that multiple teams, including officials from local crime branches and police stations, are conducting searches in Pune and nearby areas where the accused have properties.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a local farmer alleging that he was threatened by Manorama Khedkar, Puja Khedkar's mother, as seen in a viral video from June 2023 where she appeared to brandish a firearm and intimidate villagers in Mulshi taluka of Pune district. Following an investigation, the accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.

In response to the developments, Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer, declined to comment, citing regulatory restrictions. She stated that she would provide necessary information to the concerned committee.


Puja Khedkar has previously faced scrutiny for allegedly using fraudulent disability and OBC certificates to qualify for the civil services examination.