Viral Video: IAS Officer Puja Khedkar's Mother Threatening Farmers with Pistol, Sparks Controversy; Watch

Viral Video: An old video showing Manorama Khedkar, the mother of IAS official Puja Khedkar, threatening farmers in Pune's Mulshi tehsil with a pistol over a land dispute has gone viral. In the widely shared video, which was purportedly shot in 2023, Manorama is seen threatening farmers with a bouncer and asserting his ownership of the disputed land.

Viral Video Land Dispute in Mulshi Tehsil

The Khedkar family, known for their extensive properties across Maharashtra, had acquired 25 acres of land in Mulshi tehsil. However, part of this land is claimed to have encroached upon neighboring farmers' properties. When the farmers raised objections, Manorama Khedkar, accompanied by a bouncer, confronted them with a pistol.

Manorama claims in the video that she is the owner of both the land and the "Saat-Baara-Utara" document, which is a crucial record of land ownership that is provided by the tehsildar or other appropriate land authority. Manorama maintains her position and says, "I will see how you take everything, I have no fear of anyone." in response to a farmer pointing out that the case is still pending in court.

Puja Khedkar's Controversial Conduct

IAS official Puja Khedkar, who is presently on probation, has made headlines lately due to her controversial actions. After concerns about her behaviour during her probationary time, she was moved from Pune to the Washim area. The accusations levelled against her include her allegedly requesting an official vehicle, a separate office, and the unapproved use of a beacon and emblem on her own Audi, which is not allowed for a probation officer.

Khedkar also reportedly occupied the chamber of Additional Collector Ajay More during his absence and put up a name board for herself. Further allegations suggest she misused the disability provision and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure her IAS position.

Government Response

The Centre has formed a one-member panel to confirm Puja Khedkar's selection as an IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, 2023-batch, in view of these accusations.