New Twist in Bhigwan Case: 21-Year-Old Woman Expresses Wish to Stay with Family

Pune, 25th February 2026: A 21-year-old woman at the centre of an alleged abduction case in Bhigwan was on Wednesday (February 25) produced before the Indapur court via video conferencing, where she expressed her willingness to stay with her mother and maternal uncle. The court subsequently ordered that she be handed over to them, Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Mahangade of Bhigwan Police Station (Pune rural police) said.

The case, which had triggered widespread reactions, took a new turn after the woman, who had been lodged in a correctional home for five days, was presented before the court. When asked by the judge about her preference, she stated that she wished to reside with her mother and uncle. Acting on her statement, the Indapur court directed that she be released into their custody.

The development has brought relief to her relatives. Representatives of certain Hindutva organisations also expressed satisfaction over the court’s decision.

The case had sparked tension after a complaint was lodged at Bhigwan Police Station alleging that the 21-year-old woman was abducted from the Bhigwan market area while returning home with her mother and brother after shopping for her wedding. The complaint claimed that chilli powder was thrown into their eyes before she was forcibly taken away.

Following the incident, protests were organised under the leadership of MLAs Gopichand Padalkar and Sangram Jagtap, with demonstrators demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and that the woman be handed over to her mother.

Amid the uproar, the woman had appeared at Baramati City Police Station on February 20, stating that she had not been abducted but had gone with the concerned Muslim youth of her own will. At that time, she had declined to return with her mother.

API Vinod Mahangade said that as per court orders, the woman was initially sent to a correctional home after she refused to go with her relatives. “She was produced before the Indapur court through video conferencing on February 25. After the court inquired, she expressed her desire to stay with her mother and maternal uncle. The court then issued appropriate orders,” he said. Further investigation is underway.

Given the sensitivity of the matter and its wider repercussions across Maharashtra, senior officers of Pune Rural Police closely monitored the case. Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional SP Ganesh Biradar, API Vinod Mahangade and other officials ensured that due legal procedure was followed.

Police said the woman and the youth had first appeared before Baramati City Police Station. After she declined to go with her relatives, she was sent to the correctional home in compliance with court directions. Five days later, she expressed her willingness to stay with her mother and uncle, leading to Wednesday’s court order.