Pune Court Grants Bail in High-Profile Land Dispute Case

A Pune court has granted bail to Manorama Khedkar, mother of former probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, in a case involving criminal intimidation over a land dispute. The court's decision follows the apprehension of Manorama at a lodge in Raigad. Her husband, Dilip Khedkar, has obtained anticipatory bail.

A Pune court on Friday granted bail to Manorama Khedkar, mother of former probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, in a criminal intimidation case connected to a land dispute.

Additional sessions judge AN Mare made the decision to grant bail, according to Manorama Khedkar's counsel, advocate Sudhir Shah.

Pune Rural Police had issued a search warrant for Manorama and her husband Dilip Khedkar after a video circulated showing Manorama allegedly threatening individuals with a firearm in a land dispute at Dhadwali village in Pune's Mulshi tehsil in 2023.

The Paud police booked the Khedkar couple and five others under various IPC sections including 307 (attempt to murder), 144 (unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon), 147 (rioting), and 506 (criminal intimidation), along with charges under the Arms Act.

Manorama was apprehended at a lodge in Hirkaniwadi village near Mahad in Raigad district. Dilip Khedkar has received anticipatory bail in the case.

Meanwhile, the UPSC announced on Wednesday that it had cancelled the provisional candidature of Puja Khedkar, permanently barring her from future exams or selections.

(With inputs from agencies.)