IAS Officer Puja Khedkar's Parents Booked; Absconding With Phones Switched Off: Police

Puja Khedkar's parents are currently being pursued by authorities after an FIR was lodged against them for allegedly threatening a farmer, according to Pune Rural Police.

Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural, reported, "The accused are on the run. We are trying to contact them but they are not reachable as their phones are switched off."

Deshmukh said that police teams are conducting extensive searches in Pune and nearby areas to locate Manorama and Dilip Khedkar, who are among seven people booked following a complaint by a local farmer.

The complaint alleges that Manorama, mother of the probationary IAS officer Puja, was captured in a viral video wielding a firearm and threatening villagers in Mulshi taluka.

"Several teams, including officials from the local crime branch and local police stations, are searching for them in Pune and nearby places with some farmhouses and residences. When found, we will question them and take action accordingly," Deshmukh added.

The accused face charges under sections 323, 504, 506, 143, 144, 147, 148, and 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with sections 3 (25) of the Arms Act, based on the investigation.

The family's lawyer has countered, asserting that the firearm seen in the video was used to prevent further escalation of a dispute and was in self-defense.

They have also claimed to possess all necessary permissions and documents for the firearm's ownership.