Police Make Key Arrest in Pune IAS Probationer Home Invasion Case
The Chatushrungi police in Pune announced a significant development on Wednesday in their investigation of the violent dacoity at dismissed IAS probationer Puja Khedkar's residence. Officers arrested the father of the prime suspect from Kalyan in Thane district, marking a crucial step forward in the case.
Father of Main Accused Taken into Custody
Assistant police inspector Aniket Pote and his team from Chatushrungi police station produced Khammo Veerbahadur Shahi before a magisterial court in Shivajinagar. The forty-year-old man faces serious allegations related to the January 11th crime at the Baner Road bungalow. The court ordered Shahi's remand in police custody until January 18th, granting investigators valuable time for interrogation.
Violent Night at Khedkar Residence
Investigations reveal a disturbing sequence of events from that January night. Around 11:30 PM, seven individuals allegedly executed the planned dacoity. The group included Hikmat Shahi, who had recently been recruited by the Khedkar family as domestic help. This insider knowledge likely facilitated the crime.
The perpetrators used an iron rod to force open cupboards throughout the bungalow. They stole various articles and mobile phones before making their escape. Most alarmingly, they tied up Puja Khedkar and threatened her directly. Meanwhile, they sedated her parents, their cook, the watchman, and the driver to prevent any resistance.
Police Pursue Remaining Suspects
Despite this arrest, the search continues intensively. Police are actively looking for Hikmat Shahi and six other accomplices. All seven individuals hail from Nepal, according to official statements. The gang reportedly met Khammo Veerbahadur Shahi in Kalyan after committing the dacoity, suggesting possible assistance or planning involvement.
API Aniket Pote provided details about the investigation's progress. "We were working on clues to trace Hikmat and his accomplices when we learned they had fled toward Mumbai," Pote explained. "Our informers indicated that Shahi, the prime suspect's father, was in Kalyan. We detained him for questioning immediately."
Father Claims Ignorance About Son's Whereabouts
During initial questioning, Khammo Veerbahadur Shahi made a specific claim to police. He admitted that his son Hikmat had visited him after the incident. However, he insisted he had no knowledge about his son's current location or the whereabouts of the other suspects. Police formally arrested Shahi for custodial interrogation based on this connection and other evidence.
Recovery of Stolen Property Remains Priority
The Khedkar family faces challenges in providing complete details to investigators. Puja's parents remain under hospital treatment following the traumatic event. This situation has delayed their formal statements regarding the exact items stolen and their total value. On the night of the crime, Puja Khedkar did identify Hikmat as part of the group that attacked their home.
Police presented multiple reasons for seeking extended custody of Shahi. They need to secure information about his son's location and the other suspects. Investigators must ascertain the exact nature and value of the stolen property. Recovery of these items forms another critical objective. Additionally, police want to determine if this Nepali group has committed similar crimes in the past.
The investigation continues as Pune police work to apprehend all individuals involved in this serious home invasion. The arrest of the prime suspect's father represents a meaningful breakthrough, but the hunt for the seven alleged perpetrators remains active and urgent.
