In a dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra’s Baramati, a 21-year-old woman’s alleged kidnapping has been exposed as a consensual elopement with her long-time lover. What began as a shocking abduction claim by her family has unraveled after the woman released a video statement vehemently denying any foul play.
Vaishnavi Raju Thorat, the young woman at the center of the controversy, appeared in the video to clarify her side. ‘My name is Vaishnavi Raju Thorat. I’ve been in a relationship with Zaheer Sheikh for the past nine years. Yesterday’s incident was not forced upon me. I left of my own free will. There was no kidnapping. Don’t believe the rumors,’ she stated firmly.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday evening in the Bhigwan police station area of Indapur taluka, Pune district. According to the initial FIR filed by the family, two men intercepted Vaishnavi as she returned home from behind Anand Hotel around 4 PM, accompanied by her mother and brother. The accused allegedly threw chili powder into the eyes of the mother and brother before forcibly bundling Vaishnavi into a vehicle and fleeing.
Identified as Zaheer Harun Sheikh and Ayan Harun Sheikh, the duo faced kidnapping charges at Bhigwan police station. News of the abduction spread like wildfire, igniting public fury. Relatives, family members, and villagers gathered outside the station, demanding swift action. The protests escalated as demonstrators burned tires and blocked the Pune-Solapur National Highway, causing major traffic disruptions.
Tension gripped the area through the night, with crowds lingering past 11 PM. In solidarity, local shops in the village market shut down on Wednesday, amplifying the community’s outrage.
Now, with Vaishnavi’s video surfacing, police have shifted gears. Investigators are probing potential collusion between the woman and the accused, focusing heavily on the angle of a romantic relationship. This revelation has not only defused immediate tensions but also raises questions about family dynamics, inter-community relations, and the rush to judgment in such sensitive cases.
As the investigation deepens, authorities urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information. The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly rumors can escalate into widespread unrest in close-knit communities.