Ex-Maharashtra Minister’s Son’s Pune-Bangkok Flight Recalled Mid-Air Amid Kidnap Probe

A chartered flight carrying Rishiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, and his two friends was recalled to Pune midway after police registered a kidnapping case, according to an NDTV report. The pilots initially thought the recall message was a hoax but complied after confirmation from aviation authorities, an airline executive said on Wednesday.

The private flight, which had taken off for Bangkok, was instructed to return on Monday between 8 pm and 8.30 pm. The journey had not been disclosed to Tanaji Sawant or his family.

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The decision to divert the plane was made only after proper verification, insisted the airline executive. The incident unfolded when Pune police received an anonymous call around 4 pm, stating that Rishiraj Sawant had been taken away by unidentified persons. In response, a kidnapping case was filed, and Tanaji Sawant rushed to the police commissioner's office seeking help.

Following the police intervention, the flight was instructed to turn around while it was flying over Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The three passengers were not informed about the diversion to avoid any disruption onboard.

"The in-flight screens showing maps and navigation were switched off, and the passengers were unaware that the plane was returning to Pune. They were relaxing after their meal," the executive explained.

Upon landing at Pune International Airport, Rishiraj Sawant and his companions were surprised and questioned the pilots angrily. The pilot-in-command informed them that they were following instructions. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel immediately boarded the aircraft and escorted them out.

The airline received inquiries from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and provided all necessary details. The DGCA reportedly appreciated the airline's decision to recall the flight.

"This is possibly the first time a flight has been recalled due to a criminal case against a passenger," the executive noted. "Usually, diversions happen in cases of medical or technical emergencies."

Rishiraj Sawant later told police that he had kept his Bangkok trip secret to avoid his family's disapproval. Meanwhile, leaders from the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned the police's urgency in filing a kidnapping case based on an anonymous call. They alleged that Tanaji Sawant had misused police resources to bring his son back.

The incident has sparked debate over the handling of the case and the decision to recall a flight based on an unverified complaint.