Dilip Khedkar, the father of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, has been granted anticipatory bail by a Pune sessions court in connection with a case involving a viral video of a gun being waved during a land dispute. The video, which showed Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, brandishing a firearm while arguing with farmers, led to significant controversy and legal action.
The case, initiated by Paud police, includes charges against Dilip and Manorama Khedkar along with five others. They face allegations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 307 (attempt to murder), 144 (unlawful assembly armed with a deadly weapon), 147 (rioting), and 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as provisions of the Arms Act.
During the court proceedings, Advocate Sudhir Shah highlighted that the charge of attempt to murder was specifically directed at Manorama Khedkar and not at Dilip Khedkar. The court, under Additional Sessions Judge A. N. Mare, approved the anticipatory bail for Dilip Khedkar, subject to conditions that he must not contact or influence witnesses and must fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Puja Khedkar family’s actions and legal battles related to the viral video incident.
