Was the Girl Kidnapped In Car From SPPU Campus? Police Debunk Rumors, Clarify It Was A Misunderstanding

Hours after the rumor of a girl being abducted from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus went viral, the police have clarified that it was a false claim. The girl involved was not abducted; she is related to the man she was seen with, and both are known to each other.

Fake claim

Several people claimed that the girl was abducted in a car near the University hostel on Friday night around 8 pm. However, the police have claimed it was a rumor. They are relatives and know each other. The incident sparked panic and widespread concern on campus.

Vijayanand Patil, Senior Police Inspector of Chaturshungi Police Station, speaking to FPJ, said, “They are relatives and know each other. His friend came to meet her on Friday night. Near the Marathi department, they were talking. However, a heated argument occurred between them regarding the mobile phone (avoiding the calls and messages). After which, the security guard reached the spot.”

“Upon being asked as to what happened, they quickly fled the spot. The girl went to her friend’s home, where they went for dinner. We have investigated the matter. There is no valid proof to support the claim of kidnapping. The girl returned to the hostel in the morning. No complaints regarding the matter have been received yet,” he added.

Himmat Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4), speaking to FPJ, said, “We have analyzed the matter, and no such incident of kidnapping has occurred so far. They are all friends and know each other. Furthermore, no FIR has been lodged yet. We condemn all the allegations of kidnapping rumors circulating on the campus and on social media.”

ABVP warns protest

Shiva Barole from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) stated, “On alerting the university’s security personnel, one of the unidentified men quickly drove away with the girl in the car, while his two companions attempted to flee on foot. The security personnel, with the help of students, managed to chase them down and catch them.”

He also added that if the administration fails to act, ABVP will launch a massive protest.

SPPU’s version

Meanwhile, on the condition of anonymity, an official from the university highlighted, “This is to bring to your kind attention that false information regarding the kidnapping of a girl from the university was reported without any official verification from university authorities. Two boys accompanying the alleged individual were immediately handed over to the police. The investigation revealed that the concerned girl had gone to the boy’s house to meet his parents. Today, the parents of both individuals were present at the police station to clarify the matter. Someone has created a fake narrative to malign the image of the university. The university strongly condemns this.”