Ajit Pawar’s plane crash: Why is Rohit Pawar asking Civil Aviation Minister to step aside?

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday demanded a criminal investigation into the January 28 aircraft crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He also called for the removal of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu from his post until the inquiry is completed.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, his second on the issue, Rohit Pawar alleged that the minister and his party have close ties with VSR Ventures, the company that operated the crashed aircraft. He claimed that a fair and independent investigation would not be possible as long as the minister continues in office.

Pawar further alleged that there is a nexus between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and VSR Ventures. According to him, the probe into the crash is being deliberately delayed to protect the company and its investors. He alleged that backdated documents may be created to shield those responsible.

He demanded the formation of a high-level monitoring committee to oversee the investigation. Pawar said the panel should include former bureaucrats, retired judges, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (since Maharashtra currently has no Leader of Opposition), and family members of the deceased. “The probe must be monitored by this committee to ensure transparency,” he said.

Raising further concerns, Pawar questioned the alleged political links of VSR Ventures. He claimed that a senior leader from the Telugu Desam Party had attended the wedding of the company owner’s son last year. He also alleged that a minister from Andhra Pradesh operates a private jet managed by the same company, and that an Andhra-based business group has invested in it.

“The minister has already given a clean chit to VSR Ventures. How can we expect a fair investigation from a ministry controlled by the same party?” Pawar asked, reiterating his demand that the minister step aside until the inquiry is completed.

Pawar also raised questions about the aircraft’s certification. He displayed a certificate of airworthiness issued by the DGCA dated September 16, 2021, while the certificate of registration was issued later on December 27, 2022. He questioned how the aircraft could receive airworthiness clearance before its registration.

He further alleged that the aircraft, which was purchased from the United States, had already exhausted its engine life limit, known as “Time Before Overhaul” (TBO). He also claimed that mandatory requirements under the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) had not been fulfilled by VSR Ventures.

According to Pawar, the delay in releasing the preliminary investigation report suggests that the DGCA and the company are working together. He demanded that investigators rely not just on paperwork but also on examining digital records to ensure authenticity.

He also questioned the status of the special audit ordered by the Civil Aviation Ministry. On February 2, a six-member committee was appointed to audit VSR Ventures, with instructions to submit its report by February 15. Pawar said the report has not yet been submitted and asked for an explanation.

He raised concerns about the composition of the audit committee, claiming that two members, Captain Apoorva Agarwal and Captain Lokesh Rampal, are not type-rated for the Learjet 45 aircraft involved in the crash.

Pawar also alleged that Rohit Singh, the son of the company’s owner, has left the country and is currently in Miami, Florida. “How and why was he allowed to leave India?” he asked, saying this raises serious questions.

Referring to a demand for a CBI inquiry made by leaders of the ruling NCP in a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar said it was a welcome step but came too late. “The demand was made 20 days after the incident. It should have been done immediately,” he said.

Pawar also claimed that since he started raising questions about the crash, BJP supporters have targeted him on social media. He referred to a BJP supporter named Sumit Thakker, alleging that the person had posted about a political incident two days before the crash and later deleted the message.

The crash on January 28 has triggered political controversy in Maharashtra, with demands for a transparent and independent investigation growing louder.