Pune: Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar, was arrested from a hotel in Raigad for allegedly threatening farmers with a gun.
It was revealed that Manorama and her husband Dilip Khedkar were staying in the hotel under false identities. Before her arrest, the couple stayed at Parvati Nivas Hotel under the names Indubai Dhakne and Dadasaheb Gnyandev Dhakne, as per the hotel register.
Recently, a video went viral on social media showing Manorama Khedkar brandishing a pistol, which brought her into the limelight. Following the incident, Puja Khedkar's parents went into hiding.
Pune Rural Police provided significant updates on the case. SP Pankaj Deshmukh of Pune Rural Police stated that Manorama Khedkar was taken into custody from Mahad.
The arrest was triggered by a viral video showing Manorama threatening local farmers with a pistol over a land dispute in Mulshi village, Pune district.
The video is reportedly old, dating back to June 5, 2023. It resurfaced amidst the ongoing controversy involving IAS officer Puja Khedkar. Following the video's circulation, a complaint was lodged by farmer Pandharinath Kondaba Pasalkar.
The complaint named Manorama, Dilip Khedkar, two women, two men, and two hired goons. The incident occurred in Mulshi, where Manorama Khedkar allegedly pointed a gun at the farmer during a land dispute.
The video led to widespread public outrage. In the viral video, Manorama is seen arguing fiercely with a farmer and subsequently threatening him with a pistol.
Following the video's circulation, the police initiated a search for Manorama and her husband. Paud Police in Pune Rural registered a case against the Khedkar couple and five others under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.
