Driver Linked to Ex-IAS Probationer Puja Khedkar’s Father Arrested in Navi Mumbai Road Rage Case

Fast Summary

• Navi Mumbai Police arrested Praful Salunkhe, driver of Dilip Khedkar, in connection with the abduction of truck driver Prahlad Kumar following a road rage incident on September 13, 2025.
• The incident occurred after Kumar’s truck brushed against a Land Cruiser on Mulund-Airoli Road.
• Dilip Khedkar and Salunkhe bundled Kumar into the SUV and took him to Khedkar’s bungalow in Pune. Police rescued Kumar from there after tracking the vehicle.
• Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, allegedly obstructed police entry during this rescue; she faces legal action for obstruction.
• A case under section 137(2) (kidnapping) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been filed by Rabale Police. Dilip Khedkar remains absconding; his daughter Puja is not directly implicated in this case but faces other legal challenges regarding her UPSC IAS appointment under false reservation claims.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The unfolding events around Puja Khedkar’s family underscore systemic concerns about ethics and accountability across societal sectors. From misuse of reservation benefits to criminal allegations against family members, these incidents raise questions about checks and enforcement mechanisms within public systems. The involvement of former civil services aspirants intensifies scrutiny over background verification processes for candidates availing themselves of affirmative action policies.

While it is reassuring that law enforcement agencies have acted decisively to rescue the abducted individual and initiate legal proceedings promptly, further investigations must determine whether this reflects isolated individual misconduct or broader systemic gaps. Resolving such cases efficiently could fortify institutional integrity while ensuring justice prevails without prejudice.

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