Truck Driver Kidnapped, Rescued from Ex-IAS Officer's Home
Driver abducted after road rage, found at Puja Khedkar’s bungalow.
22-year-old truck driver, Prahlad Kumar, was allegedly abducted following a road rage incident in Navi Mumbai and later rescued from the Pune residence of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, police revealed on Monday. The dramatic rescue has raised questions about Khedkar’s involvement in the incident, adding to the controversy surrounding the embattled former civil servant.
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening along the Mulund-Airoli road in Navi Mumbai, when Kumar, driving a concrete mixer truck, reportedly brushed against a sports utility vehicle (SUV). This minor collision sparked a heated argument between Kumar and two unidentified individuals in the SUV, according to a Rabale police official. The situation escalated when the SUV occupants allegedly forced Kumar into their vehicle under the pretense of taking him to a police station. Instead, they fled the scene, taking Kumar with them.
Following a complaint from the truck’s owner, the Navi Mumbai police registered a case on Sunday under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping against the two unidentified suspects. Using technical evidence, authorities traced the SUV to Pune, specifically to a bungalow owned by Puja Khedkar, who is already under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting facts to avail OBC and disability quota benefits in the 2022 UPSC civil services examination.
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Upon arriving at Khedkar’s residence on Sunday, the police faced resistance from Khedkar’s mother, who reportedly quarreled with the team and initially prevented their entry. Despite the confrontation, the police gained access to the property, where they successfully rescued Kumar and brought him back to Navi Mumbai. No arrests have been made yet, but a notice has been issued to Khedkar’s mother, requiring her to appear for questioning.
The police are now investigating the motive behind the abduction and working to identify the two suspects. “We are delving deeper into the circumstances of this incident and the involvement of all parties,” the official stated.
Khedkar, who has denied previous allegations of cheating in the UPSC exam, remains under investigation by the Union Public Service Commission and Delhi Police for various offenses, including faking her identity to gain additional exam attempts. This latest incident further intensifies the spotlight on her and raises serious questions about the events at her Pune residence.
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