03 September,2026 07:47 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
A case has been registered at Chikhali Police Station in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Representational Pic/File
A youth allegedly abducted from Chikhali in Pimpri-Chinchwad was rescued safely within a few hours after Maharashtra Highway Police received information that he was being taken towards Uttar Pradesh through the Samruddhi Expressway, officials said.
Six suspected persons were detained and the Ertiga car allegedly used in the abduction was also seized during the operation.
According to a press note issued by the Pune Regional Highway Safety Squad on Thursday, the incident came to light on August 2, 2026, at around 7.26 pm.
The Babaleshwar Highway Police team was carrying out routine patrols on the Samruddhi Expressway when it received information from the expressway control room in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The control room alerted the police that a youth had allegedly been abducted from Chikhali and was being taken towards Sinnar in an Ertiga car.
Police were informed that the suspects allegedly planned to travel towards Nagpur before taking the youth to Uttar Pradesh.
Acting on the information, the Babaleshwar Highway Police team immediately began a search operation and placed a blockade along the relevant section of the Samruddhi Expressway.
While searching the route, officers spotted a vehicle matching the description travelling at high speed towards Nagpur near Channel No. 523.
The police team followed the vehicle and intercepted it near Channel No. 520.
During a search of the vehicle, police found the allegedly abducted youth along with six suspected persons.
The youth was rescued safely, while all six suspects were detained for further questioning. The Ertiga car was also taken into police custody.
The suspects and the rescued youth were taken to the Kokamthan toll plaza, where preliminary questioning was carried out.
The Highway Police then contacted officers at Chikhali Police Station in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
As part of the further legal process, the rescued youth, the six suspects and the Ertiga vehicle were handed over at Kopargaon City Police Station for necessary action and coordination with the concerned police authorities.
A case has been registered at Chikhali Police Station.
The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 140(2), 141(3), 352, 351(2) and 3(5).
Further investigation is being carried out by the concerned police station.
The Highway Police said regular patrolling, the prompt sharing of information by the expressway control room and coordination with the local police helped ensure the safe and timely rescue of the youth.
Officials said the quick response allowed the vehicle to be tracked and intercepted before it could leave the state.
The Maharashtra Highway Police have appealed to motorists and citizens to remain alert while travelling on highways.
People who notice any suspicious person, vehicle or incident on the highway have been asked to immediately contact the Highway Police helpline on 112.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra, Pravin Salunkhe; Superintendent of Police, Highway Safety Squad, Pune Region, Dr Shivaji Pawar; Deputy Superintendent of Police, Highway Safety Squad, Pune, Pournima Bandal; and Police Inspector, Ahilyanagar Division, Highway Safety Squad, Sonali Raskar.
The operation was executed by Police Sub-Inspector Balkrishna Thombre of the Babaleshwar Highway Police Centre, along with police personnel Borude, Salunkhe, Palve, Aarvade and Shinde.
