Published Feb 25, 2026 | 10:19 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2026 | 10:19 AM
Rohit Pawar.
Synopsis: NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar said more information has yet to come to light regarding the accident that claimed the life of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Earlier, Rohit had sought an investigation into the possible sabotage angle, the record of the pilot and the conduct of VSR Ventures.
Noting that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grounded four aircraft of the charter company VSR Ventures due to non-compliance, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar said more information has yet to come to light regarding the accident that claimed the life of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister, and his uncle, Ajit Pawar.
Rohit, an MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed, has been consistently raising questions regarding the plane crash and the VSR Ventures, which owned the aircraft.
Noting the immediate inspection by the Union Aviation Ministry and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) at the office of Redbird Airways, following the crash in Jharkhand, Rohit, on Tuesday, 24 February, questioned why the same procedure was not followed in the case of Ajit Pawar.
Earlier, Rohit had sought an investigation into the possible sabotage angle, the record of the pilot and the conduct of VSR Ventures.
Rohit said that Rohit Singh, who co-owns VSR Ventures along with his father Vijay Kumar Singh, was summoned by the DGCA for questioning, but only as a pilot. He questioned why the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID), probing the criminal angle of the crash, was not informed of Singh’s return from the US.
“When Maharashtra’s prominent leader had passed away in the crash, what does it mean that the owner of the company responsible for the accident is being summoned only as a pilot for questioning? While the CID is investigating the criminal angle of Dada’s crash, if VSR’s owner has come to India, didn’t DGCA deem it necessary to inform the CID?” he wrote in a post on X.
He also alleged a lack of coordination between investigating agencies and claimed that DGCA and VSR Ventures have been colluding. He urged the Union and state governments “to show some seriousness”.
Earlier, Rohit Pawar had alleged that there are links between the TDP and VSR Ventures. He called for the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who is from the TDP, citing alleged financial and political links between VSR Ventures and the party.
At a press conference, Rohit presented what he described as a detailed report, framing the incident as a possible “political or commercial conspiracy.” He alleged that VSR Ventures was being protected by “very influential” political and business interests.
He questioned why the civil aviation minister had issued statements that appeared to “clear” the company shortly after the crash. “The deeper we go, the clearer it becomes that this company has the support of very influential people. Only the Prime Minister and Home Minister can now ensure justice for Ajit Dada,” he had said.
On Tuesday, Rohit said records of the aircraft’s 3,000 hours of flying are not available and questioned whether the inquiry into the accident was being deliberately delayed.
“Additionally, shocking information has surfaced that out of the aircraft’s 5000 hours of records at VSR, only 1800 to 2000 hours of records are available, while the remaining 3000 hours of records are simply not available. Is the inquiry being deliberately delayed to allow tampering or fabrication of these missing records for VSR?” he questioned.
Earlier, he had expressed doubts over extra fuel cans inside the crashed aircraft.
“There were suspicions that extra fuel cans had been illegally stored at the rear of the aircraft. The possibility cannot be ruled out that this excess
fuel was the reason the explosions inside the aircraft were more severe. Was the aircraft’s fuel tank completely filled? Considering that fuel could have been refilled later at Baramati, Shamsabad, or Patna, why then was the tank kept full from the start?” he had questioned.
Rohit had also questioned the track record of Capt Sumit Kapoor, who was piloting the aircraft on the day of the incident. He claimed the pilot had faced suspension for three years for alcohol consumption in the past. “Was he put in the breath-analyser test before flying from Mumbai to Baramati?” he asked.
The AAIB is leading the technical inquiry, and the preliminary report regarding the accident is expected by 27 February.
