Pune shipping firm owner Rana Suryavanshi goes missing from Ruby Hall Clinic before police questioning

Rana Suryavanshi, owner of a shipping company in Pune, has left Ruby Hall Clinic without informing the police. He left the hospital just before police were due to question him. The case concerns an attack that he claims took place near Baramati airport on 18 October. Police are now searching for him and three of his friends, who are also missing.

Suryavanshi was admitted to hospital with serious injuries. He had told police that two unknown men attacked him. Investigators now suspect, however, that the attack was not real. According to police sources, the incident may have been staged, possibly to get him stronger police protection. This suspicion has not yet been officially established.

Police have already acted against people linked to the case. Parth Awhad and Swapnil Kamble have been arrested, while a minor has been taken into custody. Investigators are also looking into claims that Rs 2 lakh was offered to arrange the incident.

Officers had planned to question Suryavanshi in connection with the investigation. But he is reported to have left the hospital before that. Police are now trying to establish what actually happened in the alleged attack and the circumstances in which he left the clinic.

The case has also raised the question of how Suryavanshi came to receive police protection. Director General of Police Sadanand Date has ordered an inquiry into the grounds on which the protection was given. The inquiry has been handed to Additional Director General of Police Nikhil Gupta.

The search for Suryavanshi and the three missing friends continues. Police say they are working to bring out the full facts of the case.