A complaint has been filed with police after the son of Shiv Sena leader and MLA Tanaji Sawant has been allegedly kidnapped from Pune's Sinhagad area, local Marathi channels reported on Tuesday.
According to reports, the Pune police control room received an anonymous call around 4 p.m. claiming Rishiraj Sawant, the 32-year-old son of the Shiv Sena leader, had been kidnapped by unidentified people. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said authorities later received information that Rishiraj had boarded a flight from Lohegaon airport.
“We have registered a case of kidnapping at Sinhgad Road police station and handed the investigation to the crime branch,” Sharma said. When asked about his destination, he said efforts were underway to find out.
Tanaji Sawant, who reached the Pune commissioner’s office, denied the possibility of a kidnapping and said his son was with friends. “We are just worried because he left for the airport without informing me or my elder son,” Sawant said. He added that he contacted police after learning Rishiraj had left in someone else’s car.
It remains unclear whether Rishiraj boarded a chartered or commercial flight. The family is gathering more details.
Sawant was state health minister in previous Eknath Shinde led government.