The Flight to Bangkok: How a ‘Business Trip’ by Former Maharashtra Minister’s Son Triggered a Statewide Frenzy

Ganpat Singh Chouhan

Pune, February 13, 2025 In a dramatic turn of events, the brief disappearance of Rushiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, triggered a full-scale police investigation, a missing person report, and the mobilization of the state’s administrative machinery. The 32-year-old businessman, who embarked on a chartered flight to Bangkok on Monday afternoon, returned to Pune just four hours later—by which time his trip had escalated into a high-profile case of alleged kidnapping.

By the time his flight landed back at Pune airport at 8:45 PM, the Pune Police had launched an urgent investigation, a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered under kidnapping charges, and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had been alerted—all in an effort to trace the whereabouts of the ex-minister’s son.

Rushiraj Sawant’s ‘Disappearance’ and the Chain of Events

The sequence of events that led to this political and administrative upheaval began at 4:30 PM on Monday, when Rushiraj boarded a chartered flight to Bangkok along with two friends. Shortly after, a staff member from JSPM Narhe Technical Campus—an educational institution run by the Sawant family’s Jayawant Shikshan Prasarak Mandal (JSPM) Trust—lodged a complaint, alleging that Rushiraj had been kidnapped.

This led to the Pune City Police registering an FIR under Section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code, setting off a rapid response operation. Within hours:

State police were put on high alert, treating the case as a potential abduction of a high-profile individual.
Top bureaucrats and political leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, were informed, prompting an urgent review of security measures.
Investigators scrambled to locate Rushiraj, reaching out to his family, staff members, and acquaintances.

As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Rushiraj had simply taken a business trip to Bangkok—a revelation that not only embarrassed the authorities but also raised serious questions about the use of state resources for personal matters.

How Did a Routine Business Trip Turn Into a ‘Kidnapping’ Investigation?

The incident has left many unanswered questions, particularly regarding how and why a complaint was filed without verifying Rushiraj’s whereabouts. Some key concerns include:

Why was an FIR filed under kidnapping charges when no ransom demand was made?
Did the Sawant family overreact, or was there a genuine miscommunication regarding Rushiraj’s travel plans?
What role did political influence play in escalating the matter to the Chief Minister’s office?

Opposition parties have been quick to criticize the state government, questioning whether public resources were misused for a personal issue involving a political family.

Political Fallout: Opposition Slams ‘VIP Privilege’

The controversy has sparked a political debate over the handling of the case, with Opposition leaders accusing the ruling government of misusing state machinery for personal matters.

Criticism from Opposition: Political opponents have termed the incident as a blatant example of VIP privilege, questioning why the police reacted so swiftly for a politician’s son while common citizens struggle for similar urgency in missing person cases.
Shiv Sena Defends the Response: Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leaders defended the actions, stating that the initial complaint was taken in good faith and that it was natural for a father to be concerned about his son’s sudden absence.
Questions on Police Prioritization: The case has also sparked debate on law enforcement priorities, with critics arguing that similar cases involving ordinary citizens do not receive the same level of urgency.

What Happens Next? Legal and Political Implications

With Rushiraj Sawant safely back in Pune, the immediate investigation has been called off, but the incident is unlikely to fade from public memory anytime soon.

Legal Review of FIR: The Pune Police may review the basis of the kidnapping FIR, considering whether misinformation or overreaction played a role.
Political Repercussions: The Opposition may use this incident as ammunition in upcoming elections, citing it as an example of misgovernance and misuse of power.
Call for Accountability: There may be demands for greater accountability in handling such cases, with political pressure to ensure that law enforcement prioritizes cases based on merit rather than influence.

Author Profile

Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.