The Pune Police has taken a decisive step in response to a viral video showing Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, allegedly threatening a farmer with a gun. Following a complaint by the farmer, the police have issued a show-cause notice to Manorama Khedkar, questioning the validity of her gun licence.
Pune City Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta stated that the notice was issued due to concerns about Manorama’s fitness to hold a gun licence, given the alleged violation of rules and regulations surrounding it. The police commissioner also expressed concern about the potential threat to public safety posed by her actions. The notice demands a response from Manorama within ten days, failing which the process of cancelling her gun license will be initiated.
The incident stems from a video that went viral on social media, capturing a heated argument between Manorama Khedkar and a farmer. In the video, Manorama is seen brandishing a pistol, escalating the dispute over a disputed portion of land in Dhadawali village, Mulshi tehsil of Pune. The farmer, Kuldeep Pasalkar, claimed that Manorama was attempting to forcibly seize his land and had been threatening other farmers as well. He alleged that Manorama, accompanied by security guards, visited his land and threatened him while wielding a firearm.
Following the viral video, an FIR was registered at the Paud police station under sections 323, 504, 506 of the IPC, and charges under the Arms Act were added. The Pune Rural Police announced a probe into the incident, focusing on verifying the authenticity of the video and confirming if Manorama possessed a valid license for the firearm.
Meanwhile, Puja Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer at the heart of this controversy, has been accused of various misdeeds, including misuse of power and misrepresenting her identity during her UPSC candidature. Allegations include her claiming to be an OBC non-creamy layer candidate and falsely stating visual and mental disabilities, despite refusing to undergo tests to support her claims. She has also been accused of demanding a separate office, official car, and unauthorized use of a beacon on her private car. Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase forwarded a report highlighting Khedkar and her father’s alleged ‘objectionable behaviour’ to the state government.
The police are currently investigating the incident and gathering evidence. The show-cause notice issued to Manorama Khedkar, coupled with the ongoing investigation into Puja Khedkar’s alleged misconduct, highlight the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences for both individuals involved.
