Dr Puja Khedkar’s mother gets relief in pistol case
Mumbai: Dismissed IAS probationary officer Dr Puja Khedkar’s mother got a breather after the Bombay High Court (HC) junked the Pune Police’s decision to cancel her gun licence.
After the controversial probationary IAS officer’s wrongdoings were exposed, several irregularities committed by her parents also came to the fore. A video clip surfaced, in which Dr Puja’s mother Manorama Khedkar was seen wielding a pistol and threatening local farmers over a land dispute. The Commissioner of Police then cancelled her gun licence. But the HC restored her licence.
Manorama Khedkar’s lawyer said, “The Pune Police did not follow the legal procedure while cancelling the pistol licence. HC Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan pointed out the lacunae while cancelling Manorama Khedkar’s gun licence.
Details of the case
Dr Puja Khedkar’s misdeeds as a probationary IAS officer were exposed six months ago. Later, her parents’ wrongdoings also surfaced. In a video clip, Manorama Khedkar was seen threatening local farmers at gunpoint over a land dispute. The incident took place in Mulshi taluka, after which Manorama Khedkar was absconding.
The police arrested her from a lodge in Raigad district on July 18, 2024. Manorama Khedkar, her husband and others were booked under various sections of the IPC. In August 2024, the court granted her and others bail on the condition that she would not visit Mulshi taluka.
Allegations against Dr Puja Khedkar
*Demanding government residence, staff, car and a separate office cabin during the probationary period
*Fixing the Maharashtra Government logo and the amber lamp on her private car
*Putting pressure on a police officer to free an accused arrested in a theft case
*Using fake and fabricated documents to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
