Tension arose in Baramati, Maharashtra, as a 21-year-old woman was reportedly abducted in front of her family by assailants who sprayed chilli powder into their eyes before taking her away in a vehicle. The incident occurred in the Bhigwan police station limits of Indapur Taluka on Tuesday evening. Local residents expressed outrage, leading to protests, a temporary highway blockade, and the burning of tires.
According to the victim’s family’s FIR, the abduction took place around 4 p.m. on February 17. Two Muslim youths allegedly stopped the girl, her mother, and brother as they were returning home, threw red chilli powder into their eyes, and forcibly took the girl in a four-wheeler. The accused, identified as Zaheer Haroon Sheikh and Ayan Haroon Sheikh, are facing a kidnapping case registered at the Bhigwan police station.
Following the abduction, the victim’s family, relatives, and villagers gathered outside the police station, demanding swift action. The situation escalated, with a large crowd remaining outside the station premises late into the night. Protesters blocked the Pune-Solapur National Highway briefly by burning tires, leading to traffic disruptions, while local shops closed in protest.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ganesh Biradar visited the scene, taking charge of the investigation. Police teams set up blockades at key exit points and deployed additional units to track down the suspects. Authorities released a video message urging calm and cooperation with the investigation to prevent further unrest. Efforts are ongoing to locate the abducted woman and apprehend the accused, with the investigation still in progress.
