A 21-year-old woman was allegedly abducted in broad daylight from a busy market in Bhigwan area of Indapur taluka, triggering tension, protests, and a temporary highway blockade on Tuesday.
According to police, the woman had stepped out for shopping with her mother and brother around 4 pm when two youths arrived on a motorcycle. The accused allegedly threw dry chutney powder into their eyes, leaving them disoriented. They then assaulted the woman’s mother and forcibly pushed the victim onto the bike before fleeing the scene.
Massive search operation launched
A kidnapping case has been registered at Bhigwan Police Station. Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Sandeep Singh Gill said six special teams have been formed to trace the accused and rescue the woman.
“We have prepared a 165-km route map and imposed district-wide nakabandhi. Confidential and technical investigations are underway. The accused do not have a criminal background. Preliminary findings suggest both were neighbours and in contact with the victim,” he said.
Police have urged citizens not to circulate rumours and to cooperate with the investigation.
Protests and highway blockade
The incident sparked anger among residents and relatives of the victim. Protesters staged a sit-in outside the Bhigwan police station demanding swift action. Some villagers blocked the Pune–Solapur highway and reportedly set fire on the road, disrupting traffic for several hours.
Additional police personnel were deployed to control the situation. Authorities clarified that no permission had been granted for protest marches and appealed for calm.
Appeal for peace
Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament from Pune, urged residents to maintain peace and avoid believing unverified information. She called on authorities to communicate updates transparently to reassure the public.
Search operations are ongoing, and police have assured that all efforts are being made to ensure the safe recovery of the woman.