Amidst high drama, former Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant's son Rishiraj, who went "missing", returned to Pune late on Monday.
Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner, Pune Police, said Rishiraj (32) had booked a chartered plane without informing his family. Along with his two friends, Rishiraj was en route to Bangkok. However, an anonymous phone call spoilt their travel plans.
A kidnapping case was registered following the anonymous call, his whereabouts were traced and he was brought back to Pune along with his friends.
Update:
— Pune First (@Pune_First) February 10, 2025
Tanaji Sawant's son Rishiraj and his two friends boarded the Falcon 2000 LX to Bangkok from Pune pic.twitter.com/l8BXZEdZ8g
The private charter had reached Andaman and Nicobar. However, after the chaos in Pune, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was contacted, and the plane was forced to land in Chennai. The plane landed at Pune's Lohegaon airport around 9pm.
— Pune First (@Pune_First) February 11, 2025
(News Source: FPJ) https://t.co/CH47K8MRZs
'Information from an anonymous caller'
"Our police control room received a call around 4pm in which an anonymous caller informed us that Rishiraj was taken away by some unidentified people. Accordingly, we swung into action and registered a kidnapping offence. During the probe, it was revealed that Rishiraj along with his two friends had booked a chartered plane for Bangkok. We tracked the flight and contacted the airline for the aircraft's return. The flight has now returned to Pune with three passengers, including Rishiraj," said Sharma at a press conference.
Tanaji Sawant, who was also present at the press conference, denied any dispute with his son. The former minister said he contacted the police after coming to know his son had left for the airport with friends without informing the family. "A week ago, Rishiraj had gone to Dubai, but this trip was known to family members," said the senior politician.
'₹78 lakh chartered plane'
According to police sources, the chartered plane to Bangkok was booked for ₹78 lakh. Reportedly, it was a Falcon 2000XL of Bajaj Aviation Pvt Ltd.
It had reportedly reached the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, after the chaos in Pune, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was contacted, and the chartered plane was forced to land in Chennai. After that, the plane was diverted to Pune, where it landed at the Lohegaon airport around 9pm.
Who helped facilitate Rishiraj's return?
According to reports, Sawant reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after his son went "missing". He then got in touch with Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol through the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Mohol, who is also the Pune MP, immediately contacted the ATC, which then contacted the pilot of the chartered plane. The pilot was immediately ordered to return the plane to Pune. After that, the plane turned back towards Pune. Rishiraj, who was on the plane, had no idea about any of this. When the plane landed, Rishiraj was shocked because the plane had landed in Pune, not Bangkok, reports said.