• Source:JND
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The Pune Rural Police has lodged an FIR against Manorama Khedkar, Dilip Khedkar, the parents of probationary officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Pooja Khedkar, and five others following a complaint by a farmer who alleged that he was threatened by Manorama. The police took cognisance of a video that emerged on social media purportedly showing Manorama, quarrelling with a farmer over a land dispute with a pistol in her hand.

In a two-minute long video recorded by the locals, Manorama Khedkar can be spotted shouting at a man with a pocket pistol in her hand. She walks up to him and waves the gun in his face before concealing it in her hand when she sees the camera. "Show me the satbara (land documents). The land documents have my name," she warns the man in Marathi. He replies that his name is on the land document and the case is in court. She then asks to see the court order and warns the man not to "teach me the rules".

The FIR under sections 323, 504, 506 of IPC was registered on Friday night at the Paud police station. Charges under the Arms Act have also been included, ANI quoted Manoj Yadav, senior police inspector, as saying. The Pune Rural Police said a probe would be initiated to ascertain facts, including if she possessed a licence for the firearm.

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"We have taken cognisance of the video that is circulating on social media platforms. Once facts are ascertained, we will start a probe. We will investigate if Manorama Khedkar has a licence for the firearm," news agency PTI quoted a senior Pune Rural police official as saying.

According to officials, Pooja’s father Dilip Khedkar, who is a renown government officer, has property valued at Rs 40 crore, as per a declaration made by him while contesting Lok Sabha polls. The family reportedly bought land at several locations including 25 acres in Mulshi taluka of Pune district.

However, locals allege that the family tried to occupy the land of farmers. When the farmers opposed this, Khedkar's mother Manorama Khedkar reached the property with her security guards.

Who is Pooja Khedkar?

As per officials, Pooja Khedkar appeared for the civil services exam under the OBC and visually impaired categories. She also submitted a mental illness certificate. Earlier in April 2022, she was asked to report at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi for verification of her disability certificate. However, she did not go for the verification citing Covid as a reason.

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After starting as a probationary officer in Pune, Khedkar allegedly demanded a VIP number plate for an Audi sedan and installed a red beacon on the vehicle. Junior officers on 24-month probation do not qualify for any of these benefits.

According to reports cited by NDTV, her father, a retired administrative officer, pressed for the fulfillment of her demands.