Drama in the Skies: Kidnapping Claim Forces Charter Plane to Turn Back Mid-Flight!

In an unexpected turn of events, the joyous Bangkok trip of a former Maharashtra minister's son ended abruptly when the chartered plane they were on was recalled back to Pune. The son, Rishiraj, along with his two friends, had embarked on the journey without informing his family. The situation escalated when Tanaji Sawant, Rishiraj's father and a Shiv Sena leader, reported to the police that his son had been kidnapped, causing the authorities to intervene.

The incident occurred last Monday but only came to light recently. Rishiraj and his friends found themselves back in Pune, shocked, as their secret getaway was cut short. This drama unfolded after the police, with assistance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ordered the plane, which had reached the Andaman region, to return. The turnaround was prompted by a kidnapping claim lodged by Tanaji Sawant amidst the flight.

The airline operating the chartered plane was initially skeptical when a request came in to turn the plane around, dismissing it as a potential prank. However, upon verification from the DGCA and understanding the gravity of the situation involving a kidnapping investigation, the decision was made to redirect the flight. "Initially, we received a phone call from a family member (Rishiraj) asking us to turn the plane back immediately. But we didn't believe it. We thought such prank calls come sometimes. But, we took verification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later. We turned the plane back after confirming that this was a kidnapping case and that the police were investigating it," explained airline staff.

Further detailing the unusual circumstances, airline staff mentioned, "We usually turn a plane back in case of technical failure or medical emergency. But this is the first time we've had to turn the plane back due to a criminal case against passengers. As there was a chance that the situation could become chaotic, our staff and pilots didn't tell the passengers that the plane was being diverted. They also turned off the navigation maps in front of them. They didn't know until the plane landed at Pune airport. After landing, CISF officers came and took them out."

The family was unaware of Rishiraj's clandestine trip until a report of his alleged kidnapping reached Pune police, prompted by a call from an unidentified individual and subsequently confirmed by Tanaji himself. The police swiftly acted on this information, registering a case and coordinating with the DGCA to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, this high-profile incident has drawn criticism from opposition parties, stirring further controversy.

The sequence of events highlights the intricate measures taken to ensure the safety of the passengers, demonstrating the responsiveness of airlines and authorities in potential crisis situations, notwithstanding the unusual circumstances that led to the plane's return.