Rohit Pawar Demands Independent Probe into Ajit Pawar’s Tragic Aircraft Crash; Flags ‘Serious Lapses’ and Unanswered Questions
PUNE: In a significant move that has sent ripples through Maharashtra’s political circles, Karjat-Jamkhed MLA Rohit Pawar has officially called for a comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the tragic aircraft accident that claimed the life of his uncle and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Dada Pawar.
The late Deputy CM passed away on January 28, 2026, when a Bombardier Learjet-45 (VT-SSK) crashed near Baramati while en route from Mumbai.
Failed Meeting Leads to Formal Appeal
Following a detailed press conference where he first raised suspicions of foul play, Rohit Pawar attempted to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi. However, due to their involvement in the ongoing Parliament session, the meetings could not take place.
Undeterred, Pawar has now dispatched a formal letter and a detailed technical presentation via email to the trio, demanding a time-bound investigation to bring the “actual sequence of events” before the public.
Allegations of Regulatory Negligence and Technical Lapses
The letter, dated February 12, 2026, outlines a series of alarming discrepancies surrounding the flight operated by VSR Ventures:
- Operator History: Pawar pointed out that the same operator was involved in a serious crash at Mumbai Airport in September 2023. Furthermore, he noted that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had previously revoked the operator’s authorization due to safety violations, a fact allegedly communicated to Indian authorities but not acted upon.
- Last-Minute Crew Swap: Both pilots were reportedly replaced just before takeoff, allegedly due to “traffic delays,” raising questions about compliance with mandatory reporting and duty regulations.
- Technical Discrepancies: The MLA flagged a “premature transponder signal loss” and material differences between ATC records and flight-radar data.
- Questionable Pilot Conduct: The letter makes a grave allegation regarding the pilot’s history, suggesting a pattern of alcohol-related issues and questioning whether sobriety protocols were followed.
“The state of Maharashtra has lost a mass leader whose life was dedicated to public service… if serious lapses are not examined with full accountability, the safety of other leaders and citizens may be at risk,” Rohit Pawar stated in the letter.
Demands for International Oversight
While acknowledging the ongoing CID investigation, Pawar has urged the Central Government to involve independent international agencies such as the BEA (France) or the AAIB (UK) to ensure neutrality. He has also requested the immediate grounding of all aircraft operated by VSR Ventures and Arrow Aircraft Sales until the probe is complete.
“This is not about politics; it is about the truth,” Rohit Pawar asserted on social media, expressing confidence that a positive response from the Home Ministry will eventually resolve the many questions troubling the state.
