A sensational video has flipped the script on a high-profile kidnapping case in Pune’s Baramati region, revealing a nine-year-old love story instead of a crime. The 21-year-old woman, initially reported as a victim, has come forward to assert she left home willingly with her partner, sending shockwaves through the protesting crowds.
Speaking directly to the camera, Vaishnavi Raju Thorat dismissed all abduction claims. ‘I’ve been with Zaheer Sheikh for nine years. No one forced me. I went on my own accord. Ignore the false rumors,’ she declared in the now-viral clip.
The chaos began Tuesday around 4 PM near Anand Hotel in Indapur taluka’s Bhigwan area. Vaishnavi’s family alleged that brothers Zaheer Harun Sheikh and Ayan Harun Sheikh ambushed them, blinding the mother and brother with chili powder before dragging her away in a vehicle. An FIR for kidnapping was promptly registered.
Public reaction was swift and furious. By evening, a large mob assembled at Bhigwan police station, protesting vehemently and blocking the key Pune-Solapur highway with burning tires. Shops in the local market remained closed the following day as solidarity protests continued, highlighting deep-seated community concerns.
The overnight vigil at the station underscored the volatile atmosphere, with tensions running high until late hours. However, Vaishnavi’s bold statement has prompted police to reorient their inquiry toward a possible lovers’ angle and complicity.
This development not only quells the immediate uproar but also spotlights broader issues like elopement controversies, parental opposition, and the role of social media in clarifying facts amid hysteria. Police continue to investigate all aspects, emphasizing calm and facts over speculation.
The incident underscores the complexities of personal relationships in traditional settings, where love can clash dramatically with familial expectations, often sparking larger societal conflicts.