A daylight abduction unfolded in Pune district on Tuesday evening when a 21-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped after attackers threw chilli powder into the eyes of her mother and brother.

According to police, the woman was travelling on a two-wheeler with her family after visiting a local market in Bhigwan village of Indapur taluka. A four-wheeler intercepted them, and the assailants allegedly blinded the family members with red chilli powder before forcibly dragging the woman into their vehicle and fleeing.

A case has been registered at the Bhigwan Police Station against two brothers, Zaheer Haroon Shaikh and Ayan Haroon Shaikh, residents of Daund, under kidnapping charges. Police said the accused and the victim were from the same locality and knew each other.

Additional Superintendent of Police Ganesh Biradar told India Today that the incident occurred around 4 pm when the suspects stopped the family’s vehicle, assaulted the family, and abducted the woman. Police teams rushed to the spot, launched an investigation, and set up checkpoints across the district and adjoining areas. Search operations are ongoing to trace both the accused and the victim.

Authorities said preliminary findings revealed that the woman and one of the accused had been in contact for several days, with call and message records now part of the investigation. However, Pune Rural Police stated that all possible angles are being examined.

The incident triggered tension in the area, with members of some Hindu organisations staging protests outside the police station and raising slogans. The agitation was later withdrawn after details emerged about prior contact between the victim and the accused. Security deployment was intensified to maintain law and order as the probe continues.

– Ends

Published By:

Zafar Zaidi

Published On:

Feb 18, 2026

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