Airports, farmhouse, tollbooths: Puja Khedkar’s family 'vanishes' after 'abduction' of truck driver

NEW DELHI: Police in Maharashtra are searching for members of the family of dismissed IAS probationer Puja Khedkar after her father and his driver allegedly abducted a truck helper in a road rage incident near Navi Mumbai. The victim, Prahlad Kumar, 22, was bundled into an SUV after it brushed against a concrete mixer truck on the Mulund-Airoli Road last Saturday, police said. He was later rescued from the family’s bungalow in Pune. Officials identified the accused as Dilip Khedkar, a retired state government officer and Puja Khedkar’s father, and his bodyguard, Praful Salunkhe.

Search operation widens

The Navi Mumbai crime branch, running a parallel probe, is monitoring the family’s financial activities, checking ATM withdrawals, railway stations, toll booths and the family’s farmhouse in Pune.

Immigration authorities have also been alerted. Rabale police said three teams have been camping in Pune for the past three days to track the suspects. Officials from Chatushrungi and Rabale police stations also visited the residence of Puja Khedkar on Tuesday to question her mother, Manorama. But she was not found. Senior inspector Uttam Bhajnawale of Chatushrungi police station told TOI, “None of the family members was present in their bungalow on Baner Road.

Their caretakers answered our questions.”

Accusations against Manorama Khedkar

Police have accused Manorama Khedkar of helping the two men escape. According to officials, she refused to cooperate, promised to produce the accused at a police station but later backed out, ensured the car used in the abduction was removed, and unleashed “ferocious” dogs to scare a police team. “A Rabale police officer rang the bell and asked the watchman to call someone from the house.

Manorama Khedkar came out but didn't open the gate. Police explained the purpose of their visit and sought her cooperation in tracing the two individuals and the car involved in the abduction case. However, she refused to open the gate,” an officer said. Instead, she allegedly photographed the FIR and told police she would bring the accused to Chatushrungi police station by 3pm. “Believing her, the police team left the spot. However, when they called her around 3 pm, she refused to come and told them to do whatever they wanted to,” the officer added. A case has since been registered against her under Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty.

Victim rescued

Police said Kumar was released from the bungalow shortly after officers arrived on Sunday. “Knowing that police were outside, Kumar was released, and the gate of the bungalow was slammed shut,” a Chatushringi officer said. When police returned later, both the suspects and the car involved in the abduction were gone. On Monday, Pune and Navi Mumbai police visited the bungalow again but did not find Manorama there. “Since no one was present to open the main gate, police personnel jumped over the iron gate and entered the premises. However, Manorama Khedkar was not found inside,” said Inspector Bhajanawale. No arrests have been made so far.