Ex-Maharashtra Minister's Son's Bangkok Trip and Kidnapping Drama
A chartered flight to Bangkok was ordered to return to Pune mid-air after a false kidnapping complaint involving the son of a Maharashtra politician, sparking a political and legal drama.
In an unexpected turn of events, a chartered flight traveling to Bangkok was ordered to return to Pune while mid-air. The incident involved a kidnapping complaint, frantic efforts to locate the missing person, and a shocking twist that unfolded later.
The drama began on 10th February 2025 when Rushiraj Sawant, the 32-year-old son of former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena MLC Tanaji Sawant, went missing. His parents grew worried when they couldn’t reach him for hours. Around 4 pm, Pune Police received an anonymous call claiming Rushiraj had been kidnapped. Further reports suggested he was abducted in a Swift car.
As the situation escalated, Pune Police launched a search, eventually tracking Rushiraj to Pune Airport. CCTV footage showed that he and two friends had boarded a chartered flight to Bangkok, booked the previous day for a hefty ?78 lakh.
Rushiraj's father, Tanaji, in a panic, reached out to top officials, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, for help. Meanwhile, news of the disappearance spread quickly, and Tanaji held a press conference to appeal for assistance.
At that time, Rushiraj’s flight was flying over Port Blair, but upon receiving the alert from authorities, the airline was instructed to turn back. The decision was made after confirming the kidnapping investigation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA.
The flight, which had left Pune just hours earlier, landed back at Pune International Airport between 8 and 8:30 pm. Rushiraj and his friends were shocked to find themselves back in Pune and questioned the crew. The crew explained that they were following direct orders from aviation authorities.
Once on the ground, Pune Police questioned Rushiraj, who claimed he and his friends had booked the flight for a “business trip.” He explained that he kept the trip a secret from his family, fearing disapproval after a recent Dubai visit. Rushiraj stated that he had no idea his trip would lead to such chaos.
Police confirmed that there was no evidence of kidnapping, and the case will likely be closed soon.
The incident has sparked political controversy, with some accusing the Sawants of misusing their political connections. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut criticized the incident as a misuse of power. However, Rushiraj’s brother, Giriraj, defended their actions, calling it a result of panic and concern for Rushiraj’s safety.
What started as a family concern spiraled into a major political and legal drama, leaving the public and authorities shocked.
