Flight to Nowhere: Mid-Air Drama Surrounds Tanaji Sawant's Son's Bangkok Trip

In a surprising incident, a flight carrying Rishiraj Sawant, son of former Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant, was redirected back to Pune. The chartered plane was en route to Bangkok when it was instructed to return. Initially, the pilots suspected a prank but complied after confirmation from aviation authorities. The flight returned between 8 and 8:30 PM on Monday.

Rishiraj and his two friends were on what they described as a business trip. However, their journey was cut short after an anonymous call led to a kidnapping case being filed. This prompted Tanaji Sawant to seek police intervention. The airline executive stated that the decision to return was made only after thorough verification with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA.

Flight Diversion and Police Involvement

The flight was flying over Port Blair when it received instructions to return. To prevent any disturbance, the passengers were not informed about the diversion. The screens displaying navigation maps were turned off, leaving them unaware of the change in course. They were relaxing post-meal when the plane landed back in Pune.

Upon arrival at Pune International Airport, Rishiraj and his friends were surprised and questioned the pilots about the unexpected landing. The pilot-in-command explained they were following orders. CISF personnel then escorted them off the plane swiftly.

Anonymous Call Triggers Investigation

The situation unfolded after Pune police received an anonymous call around 4 PM on Monday, claiming Rishiraj had been taken by unknown individuals. This led to a kidnapping case being registered as Tanaji Sawant rushed to the police commissioner for assistance. Investigations revealed Rishiraj had booked the flight without informing his family.

Rishiraj later explained to police that he kept his Bangkok trip secret to avoid family disapproval. Meanwhile, local Shiv Sena UBT leaders accused Tanaji Sawant of misusing police resources to bring his son back. They questioned why police acted swiftly on an anonymous tip-off.

Airline's Response and Regulatory Praise

The airline operator received several calls from DGCA and provided all necessary details. "We explained everything to them and presented the SOPs that were followed," said the executive. The DGCA appreciated the airline's decision to recall the flight mid-way, citing it as possibly unprecedented for a criminal case against a passenger.

The executive noted that such diversions typically occur only during emergencies like medical or technical issues. This incident marked a unique situation where legal concerns prompted a mid-flight return.

This event highlights complexities in aviation operations when legal matters intersect with travel plans. It underscores the importance of communication and verification in handling sensitive situations involving passengers.