Kidnapped Truck Driver Rescued from Ex-IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Home in Pune

UPSC cancels Pooja Khedkar's IAS selection
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In a bizarre incident that seems to continue a pattern of controversial behavior, the mother of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar is now facing legal trouble after police rescued a kidnapped truck driver from the family’s home in Pune.

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The ordeal began on Saturday evening in Navi Mumbai. A 22-year-old truck driver, Prahlad Kumar, was driving his concrete mixer when it allegedly made contact with a white SUV. What should have been a minor traffic dispute turned into something far more serious. According to reports, two men from the SUV forcibly pulled Kumar from his truck, shoved him into their vehicle, and drove off with him.

After his family reported him missing, police began an investigation. Tracking the SUV, Assistant Police Inspector Kharat and his team traced the vehicle all the way to the Khedkar family residence in Pune’s upscale Chaturshringi area.

On Sunday, when police arrived at the house to search for the abducted driver, they were met with significant resistance. Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, allegedly became aggressive and obstructed the officers, arguing with them and refusing to open the door. Despite the confrontation, the police persisted and successfully located and rescued Prahlad Kumar from inside the house.

As a result, two separate cases have been registered. The Navi Mumbai police have filed a kidnapping case against the occupants of the SUV. Additionally, the Pune police have registered a case against Manorama Khedkar for allegedly obstructing police duty.

This event brings Puja Khedkar back into the public eye under yet another dark cloud. Just an year ago, in June 2024, she was at the center of a major scandal that rocked the state’s administrative circles. She was dismissed from her IAS probationary role after allegations of misusing her authority and making extravagant demands, like a private cabin, car, and peon, before even formally starting her job. Her behavior had been deemed so inappropriate that the Pune Collector recommended she not be allowed to continue her training.

This latest incident, now involving her mother and a serious criminal allegation, adds another strange chapter to the ongoing story of the Khedkar family.