Pune: Ex-IAS Probationer Puja Khedkar’s Mother Embroiled in Kidnapping Case

Pune, 14th September 2025: A bizarre kidnapping case involving the family of former IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar has surfaced now. Her mother, Manorama Khedkar, has been accused of illegally confining a man who was allegedly abducted from Navi Mumbai and brought to Pune.

According to the complaint registered at Rabale Police Station in Navi Mumbai, the incident began on Saturday evening around 7:30 p.m. on the Mulund–Airoli road near a McDonald’s outlet. A mixer truck collided with a car, following which tensions escalated between the occupants of the car and the truck crew.

The truck’s owner, Vilas Dhondiram Dhengare (53), a resident of Kharghar, stated in his complaint that two people inside the car forced the truck’s helper, Pralhad Kumar (22), a native of Bihar residing in Turbhe MIDC, into their vehicle under the pretext of going to the police station. Instead of heading to the station, they allegedly drove off towards Pune.

“When I got a call about the accident from my driver, I was told that my helper had been taken away in the car. They said they were going to the police, but they never did,” Dhengare told the police in his statement.

Based on the car registration details, Navi Mumbai police tracked the vehicle to a residential society in Bavdhan. Assistant Police Inspector Kharat, who led the team, said, “We traced the car to Pune’s Baner area and located the house linked to the registration details. When we rang the bell, Manorama Khedkar answered the door.”

An argument reportedly broke out between Khedkar and the police team. The housing complex falls under the jurisdiction of the Chaturshringi Police Station of Pune City Police. Following the altercation, the Navi Mumbai police rescued the abducted truck helper from the premises.

A video clip of the heated exchange between Manorama Khedkar and the Navi Mumbai team has since gone viral on social media.

Chaturshringi police officials confirmed the sequence of events, stating that further investigation will be carried out by Rabale Police Station, where the case has been registered under Section 137 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to kidnapping.

“This case is being pursued by the Rabale police. We provided assistance to ensure the victim was safely recovered,” a Chaturshringi police officer said.