Pune, 16 Sept

Manorama Khedkar, mother of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, allegedly helped two men involved in a truck driver abduction escape from her Pune residence and unleashed dogs to scare a police team, officials said.

The accused, identified as Puja Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, and his bodyguard Praful Salunkhe, allegedly abducted 22-year-old Prahlad Kumar on Saturday after his concrete mixer truck brushed against an SUV on Mulund-Airoli Road in Navi Mumbai.

They reportedly took him to the Khedkar bungalow in Baner, Pune. Kumar was rescued on Sunday.

Navi Mumbai police, acting on a complaint, traced Kumar’s location. A joint team from Pune and Navi Mumbai visited the bungalow, but Manorama allegedly refused to open the gate, photographing the FIR and assuring officers she would cooperate.

She later fled with her husband and the bodyguard. Police found the car involved had been removed, and two ferocious dogs had been released to deter them.

A case has been registered against Manorama under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 221 for obstructing a public servant. When the police returned Monday afternoon, her bungalow was empty, and she was not found. No arrests have been made so far.