Mid-Air Drama: Flight Carrying Ex-Maharashtra Minister’s Son Diverted Back to Pune Amid ‘Kidnapping’ Alert

Chartered Flight to Bangkok Turned Around After Anonymous Call Triggers Panic

February 13, 2025: Pune:
A chartered flight carrying Rishiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, was dramatically diverted back to Pune from mid-air following a kidnapping complaint. The private flight, which had already reached the Andaman and Nicobar region, was turned around after aviation authorities verified the situation, an airline executive confirmed.

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Key Developments in the Mid-Air Flight Diversion Drama

1. Flight to Bangkok Abruptly Turned Back
   • Rishiraj Sawant (32) and his two friends were en route to Bangkok on what they later claimed was a “business trip.”
   • The private chartered flight had flown beyond Port Blair when the diversion order was issued.
2. Aviation Authorities Verified ‘Kidnapping’ Alert
   • Initially, pilots dismissed the request to return, suspecting a hoax call.
   • However, upon confirmation from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA, the decision was made to recall the flight.
3. Passengers Were Kept Uninformed Until Landing
   • The navigation screens in the aircraft were turned off to prevent Rishiraj and his companions from realizing the flight was returning.
   • They were reportedly relaxing after a meal, unaware of the situation.
   • Upon landing in Pune, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers boarded the flight and escorted them out.
4. Kidnapping Complaint Sparked the Incident
   • Pune police received an anonymous call claiming that Rishiraj had been abducted.
   • His father, Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant, rushed to the police commissioner’s office, prompting authorities to register a kidnapping case immediately.
5. Family Was Unaware of the Bangkok Trip
   • Police investigations later revealed that Rishiraj had planned the trip without informing his family.
   • He later told police that he kept the trip a secret to avoid family opposition.
6. Opposition Alleges Misuse of Police Machinery
   • Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accused Tanaji Sawant of using his political influence to get his son’s flight diverted.
   • They questioned how police acted so quickly on an anonymous call without proper verification.
7. DGCA Praised Airline’s Quick Response
   • The DGCA reportedly appreciated the airline’s decision to recall the flight mid-air, emphasizing that such actions are usually reserved for medical or technical emergencies.

What’s Next?

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With political allegations flying over the use of police resources, the incident has sparked a debate over VIP influence in law enforcement matters. Authorities are now investigating the legitimacy of the anonymous call and the procedures followed in filing the kidnapping complaint.

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Tags:

Mid-air flight diversion, Pune-Bangkok chartered flight, Rishiraj Sawant kidnapping, Tanaji Sawant controversy, VIP misuse of police, Pune airport drama, DGCA emergency response, Bangkok business trip mystery, Maharashtra politics, flight recall incident