Navi Mumbai police arrested Praful Salunkhe, the driver of Dilip Khedkar—father of controversial former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar—on Saturday in connection with a road rage incident that escalated into the abduction of a truck driver last week. The case, which unfolded on September 13, has drawn fresh scrutiny to the Khedkar family amid ongoing controversies surrounding Puja's civil services eligibility.

The altercation began when 22-year-old truck driver Prahlad Kumar's concrete mixer brushed against a Land Cruiser on Mulund-Airoli Road, sparking an argument with two occupants of the SUV—later identified as Dilip Khedkar and Salunkhe. In a brazen escalation, the duo allegedly bundled Kumar into the vehicle and drove him approximately 150 kilometers to the Khedkars' bungalow in Pune, where he was held against his will. Police, using technical surveillance to track the SUV, raided the premises and rescued Kumar, though Puja's mother, Manorama Khedkar, reportedly obstructed their entry by brandishing a weapon and abusing officers.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Dahane confirmed Salunkhe's arrest, noting his direct involvement in the kidnapping. A case under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping has been registered at Rabale police station against Salunkhe and absconding prime accused Dilip Khedkar. Separately, Pune police filed charges against Manorama for obstructing public servants and issued her a notice. The incident echoes a prior video from last year showing Manorama threatening a farmer with a gun over a land dispute, leading to her arrest and subsequent bail.

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This development compounds the Khedkar family's legal woes, rooted in Puja's 2022 UPSC examination scandal. Accused of falsifying details to claim non-creamy layer OBC and disability quotas, Puja faces a criminal FIR by Delhi Police for fraud and forgery. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has pursued debarment and filed charges, stripping her of IAS probationary status. The family, prominent in Maharashtra's political and social circles, has denied all allegations, with Puja maintaining her applications were legitimate. Authorities continue searches for Dilip Khedkar, as the case highlights rising concerns over influential figures evading accountability in violent disputes.

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