Dramatic Rescue Unveils Shocking Abduction Plot at Ex-IAS Officer's Residence

In a dramatic turn of events that has gripped the attention of the state, Navi Mumbai police have successfully rescued a truck driver who was allegedly abducted following a road rage incident, only to find him held captive at the Pune residence of a sacked IAS officer. The audacious operation uncovered a shocking tale of illegal detention, assault, and alleged ransom demands, leading to the arrest of the former bureaucrat, his wife, and their driver.

The ordeal began for Vilas Rane, a truck driver, near Panvel.

According to police, Rane’s vehicle was involved in a minor altercation with a car driven by Umesh Jadhav, an employee of former IAS officer Arun Khedkar. Jadhav accused Rane of hitting Khedkar’s vehicle, an accusation that quickly escalated into a grave situation.

Instead of reporting the incident to the authorities, Rane was allegedly forcibly taken to Khedkar’s sprawling flat in Pune.

There, the situation turned sinister. Police reports indicate that Rane was subjected to a brutal beating and unlawfully detained. The captors then allegedly demanded a hefty ransom of Rs 1.5 lakh, purportedly to cover the damages to Khedkar’s car, transforming a simple road incident into a full-blown criminal enterprise.

Rane’s family, gravely concerned after losing contact with him, filed a missing person’s report with the Navi Mumbai police.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, a dedicated team initiated an intensive investigation. Their efforts, leveraging technical intelligence, primarily involved tracking Rane’s mobile phone signal, which ultimately led them to the unexpected location: Arun Khedkar’s residence in Pune.

The raid on Khedkar’s home proved successful.

Vilas Rane was found and rescued, visibly shaken but safe. Subsequently, Arun Khedkar, a 1999-batch IAS officer who was controversially dismissed from service in 2012 following a disproportionate assets case, was arrested along with his wife and their driver, Umesh Jadhav. All three now face serious charges related to abduction, illegal confinement, and extortion.

This incident has sent ripples through official circles, raising questions about accountability and the abuse of power.

The case continues to unfold, with police vowing to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the alleged crime, ensuring that justice is served for the abducted truck driver.