Ex-Maharashtra Minister's Son's Bangkok Flight Turned Back After 'Kidnapping' Alarm

Authorities intervened mid-air to redirect Rishiraj Sawant's chartered flight to Pune following a kidnapping report, later revealed to be a family misunderstanding.

Rishiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, was on a chartered flight to Bangkok with two friends without informing his family.
An anonymous call to Pune police claimed Rishiraj had been kidnapped, prompting authorities to file a case and intervene to bring the flight back to Pune.
The flight, which had reached Indian airspace near Chennai, was redirected after coordination between police, aviation authorities, and Thai officials to prevent entry into Bangkok.
Tanaji Sawant contacted senior political and aviation officials to expedite the plane's return, raising questions about potential misuse of political influence.
Police investigations revealed no abduction, and Rishiraj cited a business trip as the reason for his travel, though his family had opposed the trip due to recent travel to Dubai.