Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai/New Delhi: Pune Police have seized a pistol and three bullets from the home of Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The firearm was allegedly used to threaten farmers in Maharashtra.
Manorama Khedkar was arrested in Raigad district on Thursday after a video surfaced showing her brandishing a firearm and threatening villagers over a land dispute. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows Khedkar demanding to see land documents purportedly in her name and waving the pistol menacingly before concealing it upon noticing the camera recording her actions.
The SUV seen in the viral video has also been seized by the police, who have filed multiple charges against Khedkar, including attempted murder. The incident has sparked public outrage and further scrutiny of the Khedkar family.
This development follows a series of controversies involving her daughter, Puja Khedkar, a 2023-batch trainee IAS officer. Puja Khedkar made headlines when Pune collector Suhas Diwase reported her for making several unauthorized demands during her probation. This complaint led to an investigation that revealed potential irregularities in her UPSC selection process, including claims that she improperly availed of relaxations for physical disability and OBC candidacy.
Puja Khedkar’s two-year training has been put on hold, and a panel formed by the Centre is currently probing her selection into the IAS. The controversy surrounding both mother and daughter has captivated public attention and raised questions about the integrity of the processes involved.