• Source:JND
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Mumbai News: A 22-year-old truck cleaner has alleged that he was abducted and confined by the family of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar following a road rage incident in Navi Mumbai last week. He claimed he was locked in a room, fed stale food and threatened with death until compensation was paid.

According to a NDTV report, the incident took place on September 13 on Mulund-Airoli Road when a concrete mixer truck brushed against a Land Cruiser. An argument followed between the truck staff and the occupants of the SUV, who demanded money for damages.

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According to the cleaner, identified as Pralhad Kumar Chauhan, he was taken away by Puja Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar and their driver-bodyguard, Praful Salunkhe. They allegedly told him he was being taken to the police station, but instead his phone was snatched and he was warned to remain silent. The men then drove him to their Pune residence, where he was kept in a room meant for watchmen.

Chauhan alleged that he was pressured with threats and the Khedkar family demanded payment from the truck owner. Investigators later found that Puja’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, handed over the keys of the room and also removed a CCTV camera from the house to erase evidence of confinement.

Following a complaint by the truck owner, Navi Mumbai Police traced the cleaner to Pune on Sunday. Salunkhe has been arrested and remanded to police custody till September 23, while Dilip and Manorama Khedkar, along with another accused, are still absconding.

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Police initially registered a case under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (kidnapping). Later, more charges were added, including voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful confinement for extortion and extortion. Pune Police have separately filed a case against Manorama Khedkar for obstructing police action.

Puja Khedkar, meanwhile, faces separate allegations for misusing reservation benefits in the 2022 UPSC examination. The UPSC has filed a criminal complaint, while Delhi Police have also booked her. Earlier, a video had also emerged of her mother threatening a farmer, for which she was arrested before being granted bail.