Pune: In a dramatic turn of events, Manorama Khedkar, the mother of the embattled trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar, was remanded to police custody on Thursday until July 20 in connection with a land dispute case. The police, who had sought a seven-day custody period, apprehended Manorama from a lodge in Mahad, Raigad district, where she was hiding under an alias.
Arrest and Charges
Manorama Khedkar was arrested on charges of threatening individuals at gunpoint over a land dispute. The arrest followed the surfacing of a video that allegedly showed Manorama making threats in Dhadwali village, Mulshi tehsil, Pune. Acting on this evidence, Pune Police located her in Raigad, transported her to Paud police station in Pune, and formally arrested her. Subsequently, she was produced in a local court and sent to police custody till July 20.
Background of the Case
The Paud police in Pune (rural) registered a case against Manorama Khedkar, her husband Dilip Khedkar, and five others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, and sections of the Arms Act. Pune (rural) Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh stated, “Manorama Khedkar was detained from Mahad in Raigad district and brought to Pune, where she was arrested after completing the formalities. Several teams were formed to trace the accused Manorama, her husband Dilip, and five others.”
Controversy Surrounding Pooja Khedkar
This arrest adds another layer to the ongoing controversies surrounding Pooja Khedkar, who is currently under scrutiny for the legitimacy of her disability and OBC certificates submitted during her IAS examination. An investigation is also underway concerning her conduct while posted at the Pune Collector’s office. Amidst this turmoil, the government has postponed her district training program, directing her to report to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration by July 23.
Investigation into Disproportionate Assets
Further complicating matters, Pune’s anti-corruption unit has received a complaint requesting an investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets of Pooja Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, a former government employee. This complaint seeks to either link the new allegations with an existing investigation by the Nashik unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or to initiate a fresh inquiry. A senior official confirmed the ongoing scrutiny and the coordination between different ACB units.
Implications and Next Steps
The Khedkar family’s legal troubles have garnered significant attention, raising questions about corruption and abuse of power within government ranks. As the investigations proceed, both Pooja Khedkar’s professional future and her family’s legal battles hang in the balance. The outcome of these cases will be closely watched, potentially impacting public trust in the integrity of civil service examinations and government operations.
