Pune: Manorama Khedkar, mother of Puja Khedkar - whose candidacy was canceled by UPSC due to her involvement in an alleged scam - has been granted bail. She was arrested for threatening farmers with a gun in the Paud area of Mulshi taluka.
During a search at her Baner bungalow, Pune Rural Police, led by Inspector Avinash Shilimkar, seized a firearm, cartridges, and a luxury car. This search occurred while Manorama was in police custody.
The case involves Manorama, her husband Dilip, and seven others, including a bodyguard, accused of threatening a farmer in the Mulshi region. Initially handled by the Paud Police, the investigation has been transferred to the Pune Rural Police's Local Crime Branch.
To evade arrest, Manorama booked a room under the name Indubai Dhakane using Aadhaar card details and was living under that alias. Her whereabouts were difficult to trace until police tracked her mobile phone, which was briefly turned on at 11 PM on July 17, revealing her location. She was detained at 3:30 AM on July 18.
Manorama was initially remanded to police custody by the court. Her first bail application was rejected on July 22, resulting in her transfer to Yerawada Jail. However, after a continued hearing, the court granted her bail today.
This case, involving high-profile individuals and serious allegations, has garnered significant public and media attention. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the details surrounding the threats and the attempted evasion of arrest.