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Mumbai: Pune Police has arrested Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial IAS probationer Pooja Khedkar, from a hotel in Raigad. She is accused of threatening some people with a pistol over a land ownership dispute.
A video and photo of Manorama Khedkar threatening a farmer with a pistol over a land dispute in Ghadavali village of Mulshi taluka in Pune went viral. Following this, Pune Rural Pound Police registered a case against Manorama and her husband Dilip Khedkar and five other persons under Section 323 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS), Arms Act.
Several teams of Pune Police were searching for Manorama. The police team went to investigate Manorama's bungalows in Pune village of Pathardi taluka. But she was not found. Meanwhile, the police got information that Manorama was hiding in Parvati Lodge in Hirakaranwadi of Mahad taluka of Raigad. The police team raided the hotel and arrested Manorama.
She was caught and brought to Pune's Pound Police Station. Where after the necessary procedure, Manorama was medically examined. Further investigation has been carried out to nab Manorama's husband and other accused in this case. Pooja Khedkar's disability and OBC certificate during her candidature for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and her behavior during her tenure in Pune Collector's Office were in controversy.
Apart from this, the matter of illegally using red light and Maharashtra government inscriptions in the car is being investigated. Khedkar's car has been seized. Amidst this controversy, the government on Tuesday stopped Pooja Khedkar's district training program. She was transferred from Pune to Washim.
Pooja Khedkar's father Dilip Khedkar is a retired government official. A complaint has been filed against him with the Pune Anti Corruption Bureau for unaccounted wealth. The Nashik ACB is already investigating Dilip Khedkar in the alleged benami property case.
Investigation into Manorama threatening other farmers as well
Manorama Khedkar on remand till 20th, offence of attempt to murder also added
The court has ordered to keep Pooja Khedkar's mother in police custody till July 20. The police have also added section 307 to the crime against her. Pune Rural Police produced Manorama Khedkar in a local court today after arresting her for threatening a farmer with a pistol in a land dispute.
The police sought remand citing several reasons, including apprehension of Manorama exerting pressure on the complainant
After hearing the arguments of the government and the accused's lawyer in the court, Manorama was given police custody till July 20. The government lawyer told the court that the pistol and car used by the accused in the crime have not been seized yet, so there is a possibility of pressure being put on the complainant and other persons. The arrest of another accused is yet to be done. The accused has land at another place in Mulshi taluk. There too, an investigation is to be done to see if he had threatened the farmers. In such a situation, it was demanded that the accused be given seven days of police custody.
The accused's lawyer said that this land was purchased in the year 2006. No crime has been registered against the accused till now. Thus, suddenly section 307 has been added to the case. Every charge against the accused is bailable. The accused is cooperating in the investigation. A video of Khedkar in the estate was shown in the court on a mobile phone.
Husband claims Manorama took out the pistol in self-defense
(via representative) Mumbai, dated 18
On why his wife Manorama Khedkar took out the pistol, husband Dilip Khedkar had earlier told a news channel that my wife Manorama had gone to see our land. At that time eight to ten people gathered and attacked my wife. An FIR was lodged in this regard. We were stopped from going to this land and were threatened.
When a woman goes alone to see her land she has to have a bodyguard and a pistol with her
Manorama took out the pistol for self-defense. The police have registered a case in this regard. They have taken action based on the information given by the farmer, but the truth will come out after investigation. The license of this pistol is in the name of Manorama. He keeps the pistol for his self-defense. Dilip Khedkar further said that when a woman goes alone to search for land in a remote area, she has to keep a bodyguard and a pistol for her safety.
