A chartered flight carrying former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant’s son, Rishiraj Sawant, and his two friends to Bangkok was dramatically recalled mid-air after police registered a kidnapping case based on an anonymous call. The unexpected diversion, which was initially dismissed as a hoax by the pilots, was later confirmed through aviation authorities before the flight was instructed to return to Pune.
Flight Turned Back Mid-Air
The private chartered flight, which took off from Pune on Monday evening, was ordered to return between 8 pm and 8:30 pm. According to an executive from the airline operating the flight, the decision to recall the aircraft was only made after due verification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“When we received the first call asking us to turn around the flight, we did not believe it. We cannot act on such calls as they could be hoaxes. But after verification from aviation authorities and confirmation that a kidnapping case had been registered, we decided to recall the flight,” said the airline executive.
The DGCA reportedly appreciated the airline for its swift response, as such mid-air diversions usually happen only in cases of medical or technical emergencies. This incident is being considered one of the first of its kind, where a criminal case against a passenger prompted a flight’s return.
Passengers Unaware of Diversion
At the time of the diversion, the flight was flying over Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. To prevent panic or confrontation, the pilots and crew refrained from informing the passengers about the situation. The in-flight screens displaying maps and navigation details had already been turned off, keeping Rishiraj and his friends unaware of their altered route.
Upon landing in Pune, they were reportedly shocked and questioned the pilots angrily. The pilot-in-command simply informed them that they were following official instructions. Security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) swiftly entered the aircraft and escorted the trio out.
The Alleged Kidnapping and Political Controversy
The dramatic events unfolded after Pune police received an anonymous call around 4 pm, claiming that Rishiraj Sawant had been kidnapped by unidentified persons. His father, Tanaji Sawant, rushed to the police commissioner’s office, leading to a swift registration of a kidnapping case.
Further investigation revealed that Rishiraj and his two friends had booked a private flight to Bangkok without informing his family. According to police sources, Rishiraj later admitted that he had hidden his “business trip” from his family to avoid their anger.
However, the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised serious questions about the police’s response, accusing Tanaji Sawant of misusing law enforcement to retrieve his son. Local party leaders visited the Sinhgad Road police station, where the kidnapping case was registered, and alleged that the police acted in haste without proper verification.
“How did the police register a kidnapping case based on an anonymous call without confirming the details? This raises questions about misuse of power,” a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said.
As the controversy unfolds, authorities are expected to further investigate the circumstances leading to the flight recall and the rapid police response. Meanwhile, the dramatic mid-air diversion has left many questioning whether protocol was appropriately followed in handling the situation.
Sources By Agencies
