A road rage incident in Navi Mumbai escalated into a kidnapping, with the victim eventually being rescued from a bungalow linked to a suspended IAS officer in Pune.

According to the Rabale police, the incident began when an SUV grazed a cement mixer on the Mulund-Airoli road on Saturday evening. An argument ensued, and the SUV driver allegedly forced Prahlad Kumar, a 22-year-old helper from the cement mixer, to accompany him to the Rabale police station. Vilas Dhengre, the 53-year-old owner of the cement mixer, stated that his driver, Chandkumar Chavan, contacted him around 8:30 pm, reporting that Kumar was unreachable.

Dhengre and Chavan initiated a search for Kumar, eventually leading them to file a police report. Rabale police traced the SUV to Pune and, with the assistance of Pune police, rescued Kumar. The location where Kumar was held was identified as the Aundh Road bungalow belonging to Puja Khedkar, a suspended IAS officer.

According to Senior Inspector Balkrushna Sawant of Rabale police, the victim was held at Khedkar's bungalow. However, when the police went to the bungalow later, they found it locked. Authorities have reportedly summoned the owner of the SUV for questioning, while the driver remains at large.

Police efforts to gather information at the bungalow were met with resistance. Khedkar's mother and other occupants of the house have been instructed to report to the police station. Attempts to reach Puja Khedkar for comment have been unsuccessful. The SUV is registered under the name of Puja Automobiles, at the same address as Khedkar's bungalow.