By Tejas

Pune, July 20, 2024:The controversies surrounding IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar and her family show no signs of abating. Two days ago, Manorama Khedkar, the mother of Puja Khedkar, was arrested by Paud police from the Mahad Taluka of Raigad district in connection with the complaint registered against her for threatening the farmer in Mulshi Taluka at gunpoint.

Meanwhile, during all this trouble, the father of Puja Khedkar, Dilip Khedkar, received pre-arrest anticipatory bail on the basis of certain conditions until July 25. Advocate Sudhir Shah appeared in session court on behalf of Dilip Khedkar. Pune District Sessions Judge A.N. More granted this bail yesterday.

Dilip Khedkar is a retired civil servant, and before his retirement, he served as Director of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). According to the information, Dilip Khedkar was suspended twice by the Maharashtra government over allegations of bribery and corruption.

As per the media reports, Dilip Khedkar was first-suspended over the allegations of demanding money to restore power and water supply while serving as the Kolhapur Regional Officer. In this case, the Kolhapur Saw Mill and Timber Merchant filed a complaint against Khedkar with the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).

The open inquiry by the ACB against Dilip Khedkar was again initiated after the non-creamy-layer OBC status of Puja Khedkar came under question amid the row over abuse of power. Dilip Khedkar has been accused of amassing disproportionate assets. In this case, ACB initiated an investigation, seeking details on the actual source of his income and his actual property.

Dilip Khedkar was also named in a farmer threat case in which Manorama Khedkar was arrested by Paud police a few days ago. Though police are searching for Dilip Khedkar, he has, till now, received anticipatory bail until July 25 on the bond of Rs 30 thousand.

Meanwhile, Puja Khedkar is expected to arrive in Pune today to give her testimony before Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar regarding her harassment complaint against Pune District Commissioner Suhas Diwase.