Disgraced IAS officer Puja Khedkar's mother under fire for brandishing gun at farmers

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against the parents of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who has been embroiled in controversy over alleged misuse of power. Puja Khedkar's parents Dilip Khedkar and Manorama Khedkar are accused of threatening farmers in Maharashtra's Pune with a firearm.

According to reports, the FIR is based on a complaint filed by a farmer who accused Puja Khedkar's mother Manorama Khedkar of threatening him with a firearm, alongside five others.

"The FIR has been registered under sections 323, 504, 506 of the Indian Penal Code, with additional charges under the Arms Act," Manoj Yadav, senior police inspector at Paud Police Station in Pune, was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

The incident gained public attention after a video went viral. The viral video showed Manorama Khedkar brandishing a gun and engaging in a heated altercation with a group of individuals.

The altercation reportedly centred around a piece of land purchased by Puja Khedkar's father, a retired Maharashtra government officer, in Dhadwali village within Pune's Mulshi tehsil.

Local residents claimed that the Khedkar family had encroached upon land belonging to neighbouring farmers. Kuldeep Pasalkar, one of the affected farmers, alleged, "She visited my plot with security guards and threatened us while holding a firearm."

In response to the viral video, Pune Rural Police announced an investigation to determine whether Manorama Khedkar possessed a valid license for the firearm.

"We are examining the video circulating on social media platforms. Once verified, we will commence our investigation and verify the firearm's licensing status," stated a senior Pune Rural police official, Indian news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar and her family has sparked widespread public interest and continues to raise questions about alleged misuse of authority and property disputes.

Further developments are awaited as authorities continue their investigation into the matter.

(With inputs from agencies)