The unexpected mid-air recall of a chartered flight carrying former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Tanaji Sawant's son, Rishiraj Sawant, has sparked a major political controversy. The incident, which unfolded on Monday evening, has led to accusations of misuse of government machinery, with opposition leaders questioning the unprecedented urgency shown by law enforcement authorities. The situation escalated when Pune Police registered a kidnapping case based on an anonymous phone call, prompting aviation authorities to instruct the flight, which was en route to Bangkok, to return to Pune.
The private chartered flight had taken off from Pune International Airport earlier that day. However, midway through its journey, authorities, in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ordered the pilots to recall the aircraft. The decision to turn the flight around was executed without informing the three passengers onboard to prevent panic or resistance. Airline officials reportedly ensured that the in-flight navigation display was turned off so that Rishiraj and his two companions remained unaware of the diversion. According to an airline executive, the passengers were relaxing after their meal and had no inkling that they were returning to Pune instead of continuing to Bangkok.
The aircraft landed back at Pune International Airport between 8:00 and 8:30 pm. Upon touchdown, Rishiraj and his companions were caught completely off guard and reacted angrily, demanding an explanation from the pilots. The flight crew, however, maintained that they were simply following orders from higher authorities. Moments later, personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) boarded the plane and escorted the passengers out, marking a dramatic end to the unexpected recall.
The chain of events began around 4:00 pm when Pune police received an anonymous call alleging that Rishiraj had been abducted by unidentified persons. Alarmed by this claim, his father, Tanaji Sawant, immediately rushed to the Pune Police Commissioner's office. In response, police officials swiftly registered a kidnapping case at the Sinhagad Police Station around 4:30 pm. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma later confirmed that the police control room had received a tip-off about Rishiraj’s alleged abduction, and given the circumstances, they acted promptly.
Tanaji Sawant later provided further clarification, stating that he had grown suspicious when his son failed to use their regular family vehicle and did not respond to calls. "Rishiraj is always in touch with my elder son and me. This time, he was not. That raised my suspicion, and I decided to approach the police," Sawant explained.
However, as the investigation progressed, it became evident that no kidnapping had taken place. Instead, Rishiraj had discreetly booked the chartered flight to Bangkok without informing his family. During police questioning, he admitted that he had deliberately concealed his travel plans, fearing that his family would disapprove of his trip.
The revelation that no actual abduction had occurred has led to a massive political outcry. Opposition leaders, particularly those from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), have strongly criticized Tanaji Sawant and the state government, alleging that police and aviation authorities were manipulated for personal reasons. They questioned the extraordinary speed with which a kidnapping case was registered and how swiftly aviation authorities managed to recall a flight mid-air. Many opposition voices pointed out that such immediate action is rarely taken even in cases involving genuine emergencies or threats to public safety.
Critics have drawn comparisons to other cases, where victims of genuine abductions or missing persons have had to wait for hours or even days before an FIR is registered. They argue that the urgency shown in this instance is a glaring example of how political influence can be used to mobilize state resources at an alarming speed. Many have also called for an independent inquiry to determine whether undue influence was exercised to prioritize the case.
Amid the growing backlash, officials from the DGCA defended their decision, describing the recall as an "extraordinary but justified action" taken by protocol. They maintained that such diversions typically occur only in cases of medical or technical emergencies, but given the nature of the police alert, authorities had no choice but to act swiftly. An airline executive also echoed this, stating that while mid-air recalls are rare, compliance with official instructions is mandatory.
The controversy surrounding the incident continues to escalate, with opposition parties demanding accountability and questioning the ethical responsibilities of public officials in handling personal family matters. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked wider discussions about political privilege, the misuse of law enforcement, and the fairness of the justice system when it comes to cases involving influential individuals versus ordinary citizens. The opposition has vowed to raise the issue in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, seeking explanations from the state government over what they describe as an "abuse of power."
As the debate rages on, the incident has left the Sawant family embroiled in controversy, with Tanaji Sawant now facing tough questions about whether he leveraged his political influence to orchestrate an unnecessary police intervention. The case has also raised serious concerns about governance and whether law enforcement agencies act with the same urgency when dealing with cases involving common citizens. With pressure mounting from all sides, the coming days may see further political and legal developments as authorities are forced to address the growing concerns surrounding this high-profile incident.
