Pune police have rescued a truck driver who went missing after an accident in Navi Mumbai, from the residence of dismissed IAS officer Puja Khedkar in Chatushringi, Pune. The case has sparked fresh controversy around the former officer, who was removed from service last year for fraudulently availing caste and disability benefits.
The incident began after a collision between a mixer truck and a car near Airoli signal in Navi Mumbai. According to police, truck driver Prahlad Kumar was forcibly taken away by two individuals traveling in the car (registration number MH 12 RT 5000) after the crash.
During the investigation, police traced the car to Puja Khedkar’s home in Pune. The driver was successfully rescued from the premises. However, officers reported resistance from Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, who allegedly refused to open the door, misbehaved with the police, and attempted to obstruct their operation.
Following the incident, police have issued summons to Manorama Khedkar, instructing her to appear at the police station for questioning.
In 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancelled Puja Khedkar’s IAS selection, permanently barring her from taking the civil services examination. The Commission found her guilty of faking identity documents and wrongfully availing OBC and disability quotas.
Last year, a video of Manorama Khedkar brandishing a gun during a land dispute had gone viral, sparking public outrage and leading to her arrest in Raigad.
