The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Saturday issued a notice to Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, demanding the removal of “unauthorised structures” adjacent to the boundary wall of their bungalow within seven days, according to officials.
The notice comes amidst ongoing legal troubles for the Khedkar family. The Pune Rural Police have registered an FIR against Manorama and Dilip Khedkar, alongside five others, following the circulation of a video showing Manorama allegedly brandishing a gun during a land dispute.
The 34-year-old IAS officer, Puja Khedkar, is under scrutiny for allegedly exploiting the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas to secure her position in the civil services.
On Saturday evening, PMC officials attempted to deliver the notice to Manorama Khedkar at their residence, ‘Om Deep’ bungalow on Baner Road. After receiving no response, officials affixed the notice to the main door.
The notice read, “We have received a complaint about the structures installed outside your bungalow causing obstacles to the people. Kindly remove the unauthorised structures adjacent to the boundary wall of the bungalow in the next seven days.”
The FIR against the Khedkars includes charges under section 323 (Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), as reported by an official from the Paud police station.
The controversial video depicts Manorama Khedkar, flanked by security guards, in a heated altercation with several individuals while holding a pistol in Dhadwali village, Mulshi tehsil. The dispute reportedly involves a land parcel purchased by Dilip Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra government officer. Locals have accused the Khedkars of encroaching on the land belonging to neighboring farmers.
In another blow to Puja Khedkar, Pune City traffic police issued a notice to a private company on Thursday over the unauthorised use of a beacon light on a private car with the “Maharashtra Government” sign the IAS probationer was found using.
“The luxurious car belongs to a private company. An order was issued against Thermo Verita Engineering Pvt Ltd to produce the car at the nearest police station for further inquiry. In case of default, legal action will be initiated by Pune Police,” a senior officer said on Saturday.
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued a notice to a private company, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar.
Notably, the Centre on Thursday constituted a single-member committee for re-examining documents submitted by Puja Khedkar to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for selection in service.
A 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Puja Khedkar is under probation and currently posted in her home cadre Maharashtra.