Driver for Former IAS Probationer Arrested in Shocking Navi Mumbai Road Rage Incident

In a development that has sent ripples through Navi Mumbai, Mahesh Khetri, the driver of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, has been apprehended following a disturbing road rage incident. The arrest, made by the Navi Mumbai Police, comes after Khetri allegedly assaulted an auto-rickshaw driver and caused significant damage to his vehicle in a brazen act of aggression.

The shocking incident unfolded on Friday, October 18, on the bustling Vashi-Koparkhairane flyover, specifically near Sector 14, Vashi.

According to reports, the altercation began when Vijay Narayan Gaikwad, the auto-rickshaw driver, allegedly overtook Khedkar's high-end Mercedes SUV. This seemingly innocuous maneuver reportedly incensed Khetri, who was behind the wheel of the luxury car.

Eyewitnesses, and crucially, a bystander who recorded parts of the incident, describe how Khetri allegedly blocked Gaikwad's path.

He then reportedly exited the SUV, confronted Gaikwad, and escalated the situation into physical violence. It is alleged that Khetri slapped and punched the auto-rickshaw driver before proceeding to damage his vehicle, breaking the windshield and front glass in a fit of rage.

The Navi Mumbai Police swiftly launched an investigation after an FIR was lodged by Gaikwad on Saturday.

Senior Inspector Shirish Pawar confirmed that Khetri was subsequently arrested from Nerul. He faces serious charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, 427 for mischief causing damage, and 504 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

The legal proceedings against him are now underway.

Adding another layer to the narrative, the SUV involved belongs to Puja Khedkar, a name that might ring a bell. Khedkar herself was a Maharashtra cadre IAS probationer who gained public attention when she was dismissed from service in 2022 due to unauthorized absence.

Her connection to the vehicle and the incident adds a dimension of public interest to an already alarming event.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating issue of road rage in urban centers. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim and reinforcing the message that such aggressive behavior on our roads will not be tolerated.