Nearly a week after a truck cleaner was allegedly abducted by the parents of the dismissed IAS probationer Puja Khedkar and their bodyguard in a road rage incident in Navi Mumbai, the police have arrested the bodyguard. Khedkar’s parents, Dilip Khedkar and his wife Manorama, are still on the run. 

Police said the arrested man, Prafull Gyaneshwar Sankhukhe, was picked up from Shindkheda in Dhule district on September 19. He was remanded in police custody till September 27.

The case dates back to September 13, when a transit mixer truck and Land Cruiser collided near the McDonald’s signal on the Mulund-Airoli highway. Following the crash, the car`s driver and owner allegedly demanded money for repairs. When the truck driver and his helper refused, the accused allegedly kidnapped the helper, Pralhadkumar Chauhan. 

Rabale police have named Dilip Khedkar and his wife Manorama as prime accused in the conspiracy. Manorama is specifically accused of tampering with evidence, while others allegedly helped in keeping the victim captive. Both remain absconding, along with one unknown accomplice.

Investigations later revealed that Chauhan was taken to Pune and confined in room 112 — a cramped room reserved for security staff and cooks — at National Housing Society in Aundh. The accused took his mobile phone away, served stale food, and threatened him with “serious action” if the repair money was not paid.

The probe further found that CCTV DVRs from the abduction spot were deliberately removed to destroy evidence. On this basis, police invoked additional sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for conspiracy, abduction, wrongful confinement, and destruction of evidence.

“This was not a spur-of-the-moment act but a planned conspiracy. We have arrested one accused and are hunting for the others,” said ACP Rahul Dhas, Rabale division. 

Last year, the Khedkars were at the centre of controversy after their daughter Puja was found guilty of UPSC fraud. She was dismissed from the IAS after it came to light that she had lied about her caste and falsified disability claims to get a seat.

Source