Special Correspondent
Pune: Former Maharashtra Health Minister and Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant has come under scrutiny for allegedly using his influence to prevent his son, Rushiraj Sawant, from flying to Bangkok with his friends. The controversy erupted after Sawant initially claimed that his son had been kidnapped, only to later confirm that Rushiraj had taken a chartered flight from Pune airport.
Conflicting Claims Spark Controversy
On Monday afternoon, Sawant rushed to Sahakar Nagar police station, insisting that Rushiraj had been abducted from Narhe around 4:57 p.m. He allegedly pressured the police into registering a kidnapping complaint. The incident quickly gained traction in Maharashtra, making headlines across the state.
However, when the Pune crime branch and local police initiated an investigation and contacted airport authorities, it was discovered that Rushiraj had boarded a private jet to Bangkok along with his friends Pravin Upadhyay and Sandeep Vasekar. Acting swiftly, Pune Police facilitated an emergency landing of the chartered flight in Chennai at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Questions Over Police Involvement
Further revelations raised eyebrows—Sawant’s driver had reportedly informed him about dropping Rushiraj at the airport, contradicting the former minister’s claim of abduction. Later, Sawant appeared at the Pune Police Commissioner’s office, where he told the media that his son was safe and had willingly traveled to Bangkok with his friends.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with several key questions emerging:
If Sawant knew that his son had left for the airport, why did he lodge a kidnapping complaint?
Why was an emergency landing ordered for a private chartered flight?
Since Rushiraj is an adult, why did he not inform his father about his travel plans?
Did the former minister misuse his position to intervene in a personal matter?
As scrutiny over the incident grows, concerns remain over whether the police were unduly influenced, prompting demands for a thorough investigation into the matter.
