Navi Mumbai “Kidnapping” Case Takes Shocking Twist: Police Say It Was Organised Crime, Not Just Road Rage

What looked like a routine road scuffle has now turned into a chilling criminal case that has stunned Maharashtra.

Navi Mumbai Police have told the court that the so-called “truck cleaner kidnapping incident” involving the family of former IAS trainee officer Puja Khedkar was not a simple accident or argument gone wrong—but a carefully planned act of abduction and intimidation.

A Minor Collision That Became a Nightmare

It all started on September 13, when a Toyota Land Cruiser, allegedly driven by Dilip Khedkar, grazed a mixer truck on the Mulund-Airoli road.

At first, it seemed like a standard road mishap. But what followed was far from normal.

According to the police, Khedkar:

• Assaulted the truck driver,

• Picked a fight over damage, and then

• Forcibly dragged the truck’s cleaner, Prahlad Kumar, into his SUV, claiming he would take him to a police station.

But instead of heading to the police, he drove all the way to Pune—to his private bungalow.

There, the police say, Prahlad was locked in the basement, confused and terrified.

Police Tried to Rescue Him — But Faced Dogs and Locked Gates

Acting quickly, investigators tracked the victim’s phone to Pune. But when they reached the bungalow, they were blocked at the gate.

Officers alleged that Khedkar’s wife, Manorama, refused to open the doors and even released dogs to keep them away.

Despite the resistance, police forced their way in and rescued Prahlad.

Evidence Missing, Victim Still Scared

Police told the court that:

• Security footage from the bungalow (DVR system) went missing,

• The SUV involved in the crime has vanished, and

• The accused misled officers and are not cooperating

The victim, Prahlad Kumar, is so shaken that he is too scared to speak openly, fearing retaliation from the influential family.

A Troubling Past Comes to Light

Authorities also revealed that both Dilip and Manorama Khedkar, despite being educated and linked to government services, have previous criminal allegations, including a land-grabbing case involving firearms.

Two Versions — But Only One Feels Real

Manorama Khedkar, who has already secured interim bail, claimed in her plea that Prahlad was “treated well and fed properly.”

Prahlad, however, told police he was given stale food and locked up until officers tracked him down.

Their explanation that the entire fight was over ₹5,000 worth of vehicle damage was dismissed by police, who asked:

“Does anything on a Land Cruiser cost ₹5,000?”

Police Call It Organised Crime — Not Emotional Outburst

In court, the police made their stance clear:

“This was not a kidnapping in anger. It was a planned, organised act by people who believe they are above the law.”

The decision now lies with the court — will Dilip Khedkar be granted anticipatory bail, or will he face arrest?

This case is no longer just about a road accident.
It is about power, arrogance, and how far some people will go when they believe rules don’t apply to them.