Pune: A dramatic sequence of events unfolded when Rishiraj Sawant, son of ex-Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, was reported missing, only to be found safe hours later following what initiated as alarming kidnapping allegations. The 32-year-old and his two companions were supposed to fly to Bangkok, but things took unexpected turns when the Pune police intervened after receiving disturbing calls concerning his welfare.
According to Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner of Police, the crisis began around 4 PM on Monday when the police received anonymous calls warning of Rishiraj’s abduction. "Our police control room was informed via phone about Rishiraj supposedly being taken by unidentified individuals," said Sharma at a rushed press briefing. The police immediately sprang to action, filing an official kidnapping report based on these claims.
Efforts were quickly made to trace Rishiraj's planned flight, with police officials contacting the airline to turn the chartered aircraft back to Pune. "We swiftly handled the call and tracked the flight bound for Bangkok to bring it back to Pune," Sharma explained.
Investigators are now seeking to clarify the reasons behind Rishiraj's impromptu trip to Thailand, especially as he left without alerting his family. Tanaji Sawant expressed confusion over his son’s sudden departure, stating, "I received the news after Rishiraj had already left for the airport, without telling anyone." According to police reports, the chartered flight to Bangkok cost approximately ₹68 lakh, raising questions about the circumstances and purpose of such travel.
At the heart of this tangled story lies Tanaji Sawant’s claims of his son being forced onto the aircraft. Tanaji alleged during police inquiries, "Two people forcibly took my son on the flight to Bangkok." During another briefing, he tried to alleviate concerns, declaring, "I believe my son is with his friends; we just want to know why he did not inform us before leaving." His unease stemmed primarily from their usual communication patterns; Rishiraj's abrupt departure broke this norm.
Initial reports indicated Rishiraj was last seen around Pune Airport, where his phone became unreachable. Eyewitnesses recounted seeing individuals emerge from a car and approach Rishiraj at the hospital area, creating stirring speculation about potential abduction.
Upon the police’s receipt of the call, numerous checkpoints were established across the city to manage any possible leads. Notably, Pune police became involved after authorities tracked the flight reportedly carrying Rishiraj, tracing it until it was compelled to return him and his friends back to Pune later the same evening.
The fears surrounding his status were alleviated around 9 PM when the chartered flight safely landed at Pune Airport, reuniting the young Sawant with his family. The turn of events has attracted attention not only from local media but also from politicians who began worried inquiries about Rishiraj’s well-being. Tanaji reportedly reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister and other officials for assistance during the ordeal.
Now, with the situation under control, the police are actively working to clear the air around Rishiraj's Bangkok expedition. Besides Rishiraj, investigations include interrogations of individuals associated with this perplexing trip to determine if legal issues arose or if any foul play was suspected. They are also examining CCTV footage to verify any claims made during this incident.
Joint Commissioner Sharma emphasized their commitment to solving this matter as they pondered why Rishiraj had chosen such secrecy surrounding the trip, stating, "Further inquiries will reveal the motives and full story. We need to know what drove this impulsive decision and why he did not communicate with his family prior. And we are determined to get to the bottom of it."
The incident has captured public interest, igniting discussions across Pune about the ever-pertinent issue of youth and communication with familial networks, particularly when traveling. This peculiar narrative involving honor, fear, and misunderstandings serves as the backdrop for heightened scrutiny of how parents maintain contact with their children during their journeys, regardless of whether they are domestic or international escapades.