Pune: Pune police launched an investigation after Rishiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant, was reported missing on Monday afternoon. The case took a dramatic turn when it was discovered that he had left for Bangkok on a private jet without informing his family. Hours later, Rishiraj returned to Pune, raising several unanswered questions.
What Exactly Happened?
The police control room received a call at around 4 pm on Monday, stating that Rishiraj had been taken away by an unknown person. Acting swiftly, Pune police registered a missing person complaint and dispatched a team to Pune airport, where he was last seen. Upon investigation, authorities found that Rishiraj had boarded a private aircraft along with two companions and flown to Bangkok, making a brief stop in Chennai.
Pune, Maharashtra: Joint CP Ranjan Kumar Sharma says, "Around 4 PM, a call was received at the control room stating that the son of former state minister Tanaji Sawant had been kidnapped by unidentified individuals. Following this, authorities were immediately alerted, and an FIR… pic.twitter.com/41FXO0Vlqc
— IANS (@ians_india) February 10, 2025
Cops Shed Light On How They Traced Rishiraj
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma confirmed the sequence of events and stated that efforts were made to track the flight. “We learned that Rishiraj had booked a private plane and left for Bangkok without informing his family. Since a case had been registered, we traced his movement and coordinated with all relevant agencies,” Sharma said.
Hours later, in an unexpected development, Rishiraj and his two companions returned to Pune. He was intercepted at the airport and taken in for questioning. The police are now investigating the reasons behind his sudden international trip and why he kept his family in the dark.
Tanaji Sawant Expresses Concerns
Speaking to reporters, Tanaji Sawant expressed his concerns over his son's disappearance. "We have no disputes, yet he left without telling anyone. His driver informed us that he had gone to the airport. We were all extremely worried," Sawant said.
The police are now working to determine whether the trip was purely personal or if there was any external influence involved. “We will investigate the purpose of his travel and why he did not inform his family,” Sharma added.