Photo: X

By Sunita 

Pune: Controversial probationary IAS officer Dr Puja Khedkar’s mother has now been booked for allegedly threatening farmers at gunpoint. A video clip of the purported incident went viral on social media.

Five people, including Manorama Khedkar and Dilip Khedkar, were booked after the farmers lodged a complaint at Paud police station on Friday. The purported video clip dates back to June 5, 2023 and was filmed at Dadwali village in Mulshi taluka. 

Apparently Puja Khedkar bought 25-acre land at the village in 2007. She has given the power of attorney to take care of the land to her mother. The Khedkars, who purchased a piece of land adjoining to the four farmers’ fields by joining hands with another farmer, have a dispute with the farmers.

A case has been filed in the court over the dispute. It is still to be decided. Manorama Khedkar, along with some bouncers, reportedly visited the village last year. Apparently, she held a gun to a senior farmer’s head. A quarrel ensued, which was allegedly filmed.

SP (Pune Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh said, “The farmers met me after the video clip went viral. They were asked if they had any complaint, which they replied in affirmative. They were asked to lodge a complaint at the Paud police station. The process of filing a case has started against Manorama Khedkar.”