Pune Advocate Granted Interim Relief in High-Stakes Road Rage Kidnapping Case

In a significant development in a high-profile road rage and alleged kidnapping case that has gripped Pune, Advocate Mahesh Khedkar has been granted interim protection from arrest by a city court. This temporary relief comes as Khedkar faces serious allegations stemming from an incident near Amanora Mall, Hadapsar, which saw a complainant, Prashant Gavhane, reportedly assaulted and abducted.

The incident, which occurred on October 2, escalated from a seemingly innocuous road dispute into a grave criminal matter.

According to the complaint lodged with the Hadapsar police, Khedkar, along with ten other individuals, allegedly engaged in a violent altercation with Gavhane. The complaint details an assault, followed by Gavhane being forcefully taken away – an act that forms the basis of the kidnapping charge. Subsequently, an First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Khedkar and his co-accused under a litany of stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307 (attempt to murder), 365 (kidnapping), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and sections related to unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation (143, 147, 148, 149, 506, 427).

Seeking anticipatory bail to avert immediate arrest, Khedkar’s legal counsel presented arguments asserting that the entire incident was a minor dispute that had been disproportionately exaggerated.

They vehemently denied the allegations of kidnapping and attempt to murder, painting a picture of a simple quarrel rather than a premeditated criminal act. However, the prosecution, represented by Assistant Public Prosecutor Sandeep Shinde, robustly opposed the bail plea. Shinde highlighted the gravity of the charges and specifically pointed to the alleged use of a weapon during the incident, underscoring the potential danger posed by the accused.

Adding to the prosecution's stance, Advocate Hemant Shinde, representing the complainant Prashant Gavhane, also opposed Khedkar's plea for anticipatory bail.

He underscored the complainant's ordeal, emphasizing that Gavhane was not only brutally beaten but also sustained injuries, further solidifying the claim of a serious assault and abduction. The court, after hearing arguments from all sides, ultimately decided to grant Khedkar interim relief, safeguarding him from arrest until the next scheduled hearing.

This decision provides a temporary respite for Khedkar while allowing the judicial process to continue its course.

The Hadapsar police continue their thorough investigation into the matter, piecing together the events of that fateful day. The interim relief granted to Advocate Khedkar sets the stage for further legal battles, with both sides preparing to present their cases as the Pune legal fraternity watches closely.

The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have implications, shedding light on the complexities of justice in road rage incidents that escalate into severe criminal charges.