Pune: A sensational theft case has emerged from Pune involving dismissed IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, after her parents and three household staff members were found unconscious at their bungalow in the Aundh–Baner Road area. Pune police are investigating allegations that a recently hired domestic help allegedly drugged the family and staff using sedatives, before ransacking the house and fleeing with valuables.
Senior police officials have described the circumstances surrounding the incident as “unusual”, citing varying and incomplete accounts that have complicated the initial stages of the investigation.
What Police Found at the Scene
According to police officials, a team from the Chatushrungi police station was alerted late Saturday night about a suspected theft at the Khedkar family’s bungalow, numbered 112, located on Baner Road.
Upon arrival, police found the watchman, Jitendra Singh, lying unconscious in the parking area of the bungalow. As officers entered the premises, the situation became more alarming.
Inside the house, Puja Khedkar’s parents, Dilip Khedkar and Manorama Khedkar, were found unconscious on their bed. Police observed that multiple cupboards in their bedroom were open, with items scattered across the floor. Similar scenes were found in three other rooms, where cupboards had been opened and belongings lay in disarray.
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More Staff Found Unconscious
During a further search of the bungalow, police discovered two additional unconscious individuals:
- Dadasaheb Dhakane, the family driver, found in another room
- Sujit Roy, the cook, found in an external room on the premises
Emergency services were immediately called, and all five individuals—the watchman, the parents, the driver, and the cook—were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Puja Khedkar’s Allegations: Sedatives and Restraint
In a verbal statement to the police, Puja Khedkar alleged that a recently hired domestic worker, reportedly from Nepal, had mixed sedatives into food or drinks, causing her parents and staff to lose consciousness.
She further claimed that after incapacitating them, the domestic help tied them up and escaped from the bungalow with cell phones and other items.
Khedkar also told the police that she herself had been restrained during the incident, but later managed to free herself. She then contacted the police using a spare mobile phone, informing them of the alleged theft at around 1.30 am.
At the time police reached the bungalow, Puja Khedkar was present along with her two brothers, Vinay Budhwant and Harshad Budhwant.
Conflicting Versions Raise Questions
However, police officials have confirmed that Khedkar had not filed a formal written complaint as of Sunday. Additionally, she has not yet provided a detailed list of valuables allegedly stolen.
There is also confusion regarding the presence of her brothers. Police said they were informed that the brothers were not at the bungalow at the time of the theft and were allegedly notified later by Puja Khedkar. This contradiction is among several factors that have prompted investigators to proceed cautiously.
“We are trying to establish the sequence of events, the role of each staff member present at the time, and whether valuables were actually stolen,” a senior police officer said.
All Victims Semi-Unconscious, Unable to Record Statements
Chilumula Rajnikant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4), confirmed that the condition of the victims has slowed the investigation.
“The five persons, who were in a semi-unconscious state, were taken to the hospital for treatment. They are not yet in a position to give any statement. But we have launched an investigation into the incident,” he said.
Police indicated that forensic teams are likely to be involved as the probe advances, particularly to determine whether sedatives were indeed administered and how the alleged restraints were used.
CCTV Cameras Non-Functional at Bungalow
A key setback in the investigation is the fact that CCTV cameras installed at the Khedkar bungalow were not functional at the time of the incident, police confirmed.
As a result, investigators are now examining footage from CCTV cameras installed in nearby areas to track the suspect’s movements and identify any leads.
Police are also trying to verify what items were stolen, beyond the cell phones reportedly taken.
Incident Revives Spotlight on Puja Khedkar
The case has once again brought Puja Khedkar into the public eye. She was recently dismissed from her IAS probationary position following allegations that she misrepresented facts in her 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination application to avail reservation benefits.
Khedkar has consistently denied all allegations related to the UPSC controversy. Police officials have clarified that the bungalow theft investigation is being treated independently of her earlier case.
Investigation Ongoing
With multiple unanswered questions, inconsistent statements, non-functional CCTV cameras, and key witnesses still recovering, Pune police say the investigation remains at a preliminary but sensitive stage.
Senior officers emphasized that no conclusions will be drawn until forensic evidence, medical reports, and formal statements are recorded.
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